IT error locks parents out of school places decision
READING Borough Council’s children’s services company has apologised to parents and children after an IT error meant they were unable to find out which secondary school they were being offered.
Last Wednesday, families of Year 6 children were expecting the information to be readily available to them on a new admissions portal. However, the new computer system being implemented at a national level glitched, causing issues locally.
Brighter Futures For Children (BFfc) is a councilowned company that operates statutory children’s services in the Ding.
A spokesperson admitted the technical difficulties with the admissions portal and said: “We would like to apologise to parents and children for any anxiety this caused.
“The admissions portal is now working and emails were also sent to parents with secondary school place offers for their children on Wednesday.”
Computer gremlins side, the company said that 95% of students were offered a place at one of their preferred secondary schools, with the number of students receiving their first preference school increasing from last year’s 69% to 74% – almost threequarters.
And 92% will go to one of their top three choices, while 5% - down from 7% last year will go to a secondary school, but not one of their choices.
In all, they received 1,958 applications, and all pupils have been a place in September.
Brian Grady, director of education at BFfC, said: “I am pleased that we are offering so many Reading children a place at one of their preferred secondary schools this year.
“Our admissions team has worked hard to ensure all applicants have a school place this September, and we will continue to work with Reading Borough Council and other partners to keep up with future demand for secondary places in the borough.
“It is such an exciting time for children when they start at secondary schools and we would like to send our best wishes to all Reading pupils in their new schools.”
Cllr Ruth McEwan, is Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for education and public health.
She was pleased that almost all Reading children will join one of their preferred secondary schools in September.
“We continue to plan for the future with the construction of the new River Academy (at Rivermead) progressing well and with further investment in our existing school properties,” she added.