Three-quarters of pupils allocated first choice school

THREE-QUARTERS of pupils have received their first choice secondary school place despite an increase in the number of applications.

According to data from Wokingham Borough Council, more than nine in 10 pupils will be moving on up to one of their four preferred choices this September. Both figures are an increase on last year.

In all, 93.76% will go to their top four placed school, compared to 93.51% last year, and 76.26% are going to their top choice, compared to 71.12%.

The total school year intake is 2,468, compared to 2,320.

The council said it had been expecting an increase in applications and worked with secondary schools in the borough to expand the number of places to accommodate the higher number of pupils.

The council successfully negotiated with Piggott, Emmbrook and St Crispin’s schools to increase the total number of places available in the borough by 176.

Despite this, there is still a shortfall in places within Wokingham borough, with some applicants attending schools in other boroughs. The council said that it hopes to offer additional places over the coming weeks.

The council says it is encouraging families to accept their offers as they will continue to be on the waiting list for their preferred schools.

And at an extraordinary executive meeting planned for Monday, councillors will be asked to vote on plans to expand the number of places at Piggott, St Crispin’s, and Emmbroook schools.

Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services, said: “We are delighted to be offering so many of our young people a place at a school of their choosing, despite seeing an increase of about 6.5% in allocations.

“Wokingham borough has such good schools, which means we are a magnet for families. We’re facing a bumper year – more young people in our borough will be starting secondary school this

September than in 2021.

“Nine out of the 10 secondary schools in the borough are academies, which means we don’t control their admission policies. They set their own, are funded directly by the Department of Education, and operate under their own academy trusts.

He continued: “We’ve been working hard with schools across the borough to address the short- and long-term capacity challenges to increase the number of places available to accommodate all of them.

“While we negotiate, we urge parents to accept the offer they have received. This will not penalise your place on a waiting list for a preferred school.

“We know it isn’t ideal, which is why we work so hard on this. We want to offer every young person a school of their choice, but this year is a challenge. We expect to have additional places to announce soon.”

Further information is available at www.wokingham.gov.uk by searching for ‘secondary school admissions’. Parents can email: schooladmissions@wokingham. gov.uk