More than 87% of children get school choice
More than 87% of children going into secondary school education in Sunderland this year have got their first choice school.
The city’s council says that out of 3,071 children who applied for a place this year, 2,679 or 87.2% have got a place at their preferred school.
A total of 204 children, or 6.6% got their second choice, while 50 youngsters, or 1.6% got their third place.
A total of 138 children have not been allocated a place at a secondary school to start in September.
Cabinet member for children, learning and skills at Sunderland City Council Councillor Louise Farthing said: “We work hard with parents and schools to make sure that the vast majority of families get their first preference of school wherever possible.
“This September will see the biggest secondary school admissions year group for some time, and 95.5% of pupils will have been allocated one of their three possible schools on their application.
“Notifications will have been sent to parents with online admissions accounts.
“For those still seeking school places, information about the appeals process and the options that are still available will be in the notification letter sent to families where it has not been possible to offer a place at the schools on their application.”
More than 5,000 children in County Durham will go to their first choice of secondary school this September.
A total of 5,485 applications were made this year, up from 5,162 in 2018, and every single child has been offered a place at a school in the county.
Out of these applicants 5,143 have been successfully placed into their first choice, which equates to 93.8%.
Overall 98.3% of children have been placed in their first, second or third choice school.
Councillor Olwyn Gunn, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “It is fantastic that the vast majority of children in County Durham will go to their first choice of secondary school in September.”
Parents who applied online will be informed of the school place offered via email. Those who applied in other ways will be informed via a letter by Tuesday.
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “Today is a significant milestone for thousands of parents and children finding out which secondary school they will be attending from September.
“This Government is determined to create more choice for parents when it comes to their children’s education.”
“We work hard with parents and schools for preferred school” COUN FARTHING