First choice primary for vast majority
MORE than 99 per cent of Devon families have won a place in one of their preferred primary schools this September.
Figures published yesterday, April 19, reveal that 7,242 applications were made across the county.
And 7,189 families have been offered a place at one of their three preferred schools, a figure of 99.3 per cent.
The new figures show that 97 per cent of the families who applied to
Devon County Council for a place in a county primary have got their first preference.
Another 2.1 per cent were offered their second preference and 0.2 per cent their third preference.
Parents will be notified of their places and the county council’s admissions team will be available to deal with enquiries.
Devon County Council’s Cabinet member for schools, Andrew Leadbetter, said: “We have been working hard to expand the number of places that are available and it is therefore very gratifying that we have been able to accommodate the vast majority of children in their preferred school.
“Our teams have managed a high number of applications and finalised the allocation of places ahead of the national deadline.
“This is a testament to the hard work of the dedicated staff who work in our admissions and school place planning teams and the partnership and cooperation we have received from the headteachers and governors of Devon’s primary schools.”
In Plymouth nearly 99% (98.96%) of city children, totalling 2,468, were allocated one of their three preferences this year.
Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills Dr Ming Zhang said: “This is an excellent outcome, better than the national average. However I know that it is not always possible to offer every child a place in their preferred school although it is our aspiration to do so.”
Nationally a higher proportion of children are gaining places at their first choice of school, a survey of local authorities by the Press Association suggests.
A Local Government Association spokesperson said: “Councils have responded to increasing demand with the creation of hundreds of thousands of new places in recent years..”