94% of children in the BCP area were offered their first-choice primary school
Parents in Dorset have been finding out today what primary school their child will attend
Last updated 17th Apr 2023
Thousands of parents across Dorset have been finding out if their child has got into their first-choice primary school.
99% of families living in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area have been offered a place in Reception at one of their preferred schools. A further 98% of those living in the same area have also been offered a place in one of their top three junior schools.
Gary Spracklen, headteacher of The Prince of Wales school in Dorchester, has been telling us how the process works:
He said: “The applications go direct to Dorset Council and then they make their judgments based upon strict criteria.
“If you’re a child with an educational health care plan or a refugee you’ll go to the top of the list then it breaks down into other categories such as catchment area. What we’re seeing is that the families that are not successful do not live in catchment.”
Of the 4,700 applications, 6% pupils didn’t get into their first-choice junior school or reception.
Mr Spracklen understand how “difficult” it is when families don’t get into their first option, but he reassures parents that they can go onto the school’s waiting list as “there’s always a chance pupils could move”.
The Prince of Wales school received 152 applications, 48 of which being first-choice selections. Unfortunately, the school could only accept 30 pupils, so 18 families were rejected.
He said: “I recommend that parents who aren’t successful in securing their first choice think carefully about whether they want to be included on the waiting list. What we find is that some families go with their second option and when a space becomes available, they say, ‘No, we're happy where we are’”.
He advises parents not to place too much emphasis on Ofsted reports, he said: “We must remember the Ofsted inspection doesn't represent what's happening there every single day.
“The main thing people should look at when choosing a school is the lived experiences of those at that school.”
BCP Council also found that 1.6% of families in were not offered any of their top four junior schools.
Rob Slade, a legal expert at HCB Solicitors, advises parents to appeal the decision, he said: “I don't think it can be underestimated how important a school placement can be for a child, so if you aren't happy with the spot that you're given, I would definitely recommend looking into an appeal.”