MORE than 2,600 children find out today which secondary school they will start at in September with the vast majority - more than 94 per cent - winning a place at their first choice of school.
Figures from Barnsley Council show that 2,494 year six pupils applying to secondary school this year have been offered their first choice.
The figure, 94.3 per cent, is slightly lower than last year’s figure of 95.7 per cent, although there were an extra 100 children applying this year.
In all 98 children - 3.7 per cent - have been offered their second choice and just 13 children - 0.4 per cent - received their third choice.
There were 37 children (1.4 per cent) who did not get any of their choices but have been allocated a school place by Barnsley Council’s school admissions team. This means a total of 148 children have been offered a place other than their first choice. There were a number of late applications which will be processed this month.
Coun Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesman, said: “We received 100 more applications in total this year so it’s great news that 95 per cent of children have got a place at their school of choice.
“Processing the applications has been a result of effective partnership working between our schools admissions team and schools. This positive outcome for children in Barnsley has been achieved despite the significant increase in numbers.”
Families who don’t want to accept the place offered must notify the school admissions team in writing within ten working days of receiving the offer.
Those who do not get a place for their child at their chosen school can complete a notice of appeal form and return it to school admissions by Saturday March 31. Appeals will normally be held between April and June.
Coun Cheetham added: “While it is good news a high percentage of applications got an offer of their first choice, we recognise that not everybody got their first place and some children and families may have received disappointing news today and we will support them in the next steps.”
For more information, email admissions@barnsley.gov.uk or call 773677.
