MORE than 95 per cent of year six school pupils in Barnsley have been granted their first choice of secondary school.
Some 2,550 children found out on Thursday which school they will start in September, with 2,436 being granted their first preference.
The Barnsley figures are in line with last year’s but are contrary to national figures which have seen a fall in the proportion of 11-year-olds securing a place at their first choice of secondary school.
Just 70 children (2.7 per cent) were offered their second choice of school and six (0.2 per cent) got their third choice. There were also 38 children (1.4 per cent) who did not get any of their choices but have been allocated a school place by the council’s school admissions team.
A number of late applications will be processed this month.
Coun Tim Cheetham, education spokesman, said: “It’s fantastic news that 95 per cent of children have got a place at their school of choice.
“Processing the applications has been a result of great partnership working between our schools admissions team and schools. This great 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 10 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 March 31. Appeals will normally be held between April and June.
Coun Cheetham said: “We recognise that not everybody got their first place and some children and families may have received disappointing news and we will support them in the next steps.”
The admissions team will support parents wishing to appeal with appropriate advice and guidance, and can be contacted by e-mailing admissions@barnsley.gov.uk or calling 773689.
Information sessions will be held in the town hall and parents who are disappointed with the outcome of their application and wish to discuss options and alternatives are very welcome to call in for a detailed discussion.
The sessions will be held on today and March 13, both from 10am to 3pm.
