Offer day Rise in parents getting children into first-choice school

PARENTS across the Bristol region were finding out yesterday what primary school their children will be attending for the upcoming academic year.

And while most families will got their preferred choice on National Offer Day, a small portion were left disappointed and in need of some answers.

According to Bristol City Council, the number of families being offered their first preference school in Bristol stood at 92 per cent (4,458) – up from 89 per cent in 2021.

Families who applied for a reception school place in Bristol have been allocated one for September 2022, with 99 per cent being offered one of their top three choices.

Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Children’s Services, Education and Equalities, welcomed the news that even more parents would see their children go to their top choice schools this year.

She said: “We always look to place children in their local schools, in a setting where they want to be, and we hope all children going to their new schools in September enjoy their first steps into education.

“If any parents have concerns about the offer they have received, I would ask them to get in touch with our school admissions team, who will be able to help them with their options.”

Waiting lists become available from Friday, May 13 and a secondround allocation, where any places that may become available will be reallocated, will take place in early June.

Out of the 4,844 families applying for a primary school place in Bristol:

» 92 per cent (4,458) have been offered their first preference school, up from 89 per cent in 2021 (4,544)

» Only 51 (one per cent) didn’t get an offer from their top three schools, a decrease compared to 86 in 2021 and 129 in 2010.

There were 277 fewer applications this year, with 4,844 compared to 5,121 in 2021.

How to appeal primary school placements

According to Gov.UK, parents can appeal a decision made by the schools. The admissions authority for the school must allow at least 20 school days to appeal from when they send a decision letter.

To prepare for your hearing, the admission authority must give you at least 10 school days’ notice of the hearing and appeals must be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for making an appeal.