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Pupils to be told school places Pupils to be told school places
(9 minutes later)
More than half a million pupils in England are finding out which secondary schools they will attend next autumn.More than half a million pupils in England are finding out which secondary schools they will attend next autumn.
Local councils are sending letters, e-mails and text messages to parents anxious to hear what places they have been offered.Local councils are sending letters, e-mails and text messages to parents anxious to hear what places they have been offered.
Last year 83% of families were offered a place at one of their top three schools, 96% at one of their choices.Last year 83% of families were offered a place at one of their top three schools, 96% at one of their choices.
A smaller percentage of parents will get their first choice in larger cities such as London and Birmingham.A smaller percentage of parents will get their first choice in larger cities such as London and Birmingham.
Birmingham said of the 13,986 pupils who applied this year to transfer to secondary school, some 9,300, or 66.5%, were offered their first choice.Birmingham said of the 13,986 pupils who applied this year to transfer to secondary school, some 9,300, or 66.5%, were offered their first choice.
In 1997, a parent had a one in two chance of going to an underperforming school Diana JohnsonSchools ministerIn 1997, a parent had a one in two chance of going to an underperforming school Diana JohnsonSchools minister
This was slightly down, by 1.4%, on last year.This was slightly down, by 1.4%, on last year.
A further 12.3% were offered their second choice and 6.6% their third.A further 12.3% were offered their second choice and 6.6% their third.
In London, offer letters are being sent out on Monday.In London, offer letters are being sent out on Monday.
In Leeds 6583 pupils or 84% of the 7837 applying received their first preference this year, compared to 6613 pupils or 82% last year. A further 9% or 721 pupils received their second preference - the same per centage as last year.In Leeds 6583 pupils or 84% of the 7837 applying received their first preference this year, compared to 6613 pupils or 82% last year. A further 9% or 721 pupils received their second preference - the same per centage as last year.
This is the fourth year of online applications in the capital and there has been a big increase this year in their use.This is the fourth year of online applications in the capital and there has been a big increase this year in their use.
There are nearly 34,000 families registered online this year, each of whom will be able to look at the offer they have been given from 7am on Tuesday.There are nearly 34,000 families registered online this year, each of whom will be able to look at the offer they have been given from 7am on Tuesday.
And those who register a mobile phone number can receive their offer by text message.And those who register a mobile phone number can receive their offer by text message.
However, the official breakdown of how many parents get their first choice of school or otherwise will not be released until 11 March.However, the official breakdown of how many parents get their first choice of school or otherwise will not be released until 11 March.
'Driven up standards''Driven up standards'
Schools minister Diana Johnson said parents now had more choice because there were better schools and more places in them.Schools minister Diana Johnson said parents now had more choice because there were better schools and more places in them.
She said: "In 1997, a parent had a one in two chance of going to an underperforming school - which was totally unacceptable.She said: "In 1997, a parent had a one in two chance of going to an underperforming school - which was totally unacceptable.
"We are now pushing all secondary schools to improve, not let them wither like in the past; we have driven up standards in failing and underperforming schools and expanded the best."We are now pushing all secondary schools to improve, not let them wither like in the past; we have driven up standards in failing and underperforming schools and expanded the best.
"I want parents to choose schools, not schools to choose parents."I want parents to choose schools, not schools to choose parents.
"And the mandatory Admissions Code means that parents should now have a fair chance of getting their child into those schools, regardless of background.""And the mandatory Admissions Code means that parents should now have a fair chance of getting their child into those schools, regardless of background."
11-plus11-plus
The Conservatives say their plans to allow parents to set up their own schools more easily would ease the situation. They are also calling for a simplified admissions code.The Conservatives say their plans to allow parents to set up their own schools more easily would ease the situation. They are also calling for a simplified admissions code.
In Scotland, general councils allocate children to a local school and last year this process was almost complete by the end of April. In Scotland, councils allocate children to a local school and last year this process was almost complete by the end of April.
Parents can request a particular school in advance, by mid-March, and the council has a duty to grant such a request wherever possible.Parents can request a particular school in advance, by mid-March, and the council has a duty to grant such a request wherever possible.
If a school is over-subscribed, places normally go first to children living in the catchment area of a school.If a school is over-subscribed, places normally go first to children living in the catchment area of a school.
Parents in Northern Ireland will receive an offer of a school place on 28 May.Parents in Northern Ireland will receive an offer of a school place on 28 May.
This is the first year when there is no official 11-plus entrance test, although some schools are implementing their own tests.
In Wales parents give their preferred schools in order of preference. These preferences must be submitted by a deadline chosen by the local authority.In Wales parents give their preferred schools in order of preference. These preferences must be submitted by a deadline chosen by the local authority.
This is the first year when there is no official 11-plus entrance test, although lots of the schools are implementing their own.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the teachers' union NASUWT said it opposed the idea parents were somehow being "short-changed" if they did not get they did not get their first preference of school.Chris Keates, General Secretary of the teachers' union NASUWT said it opposed the idea parents were somehow being "short-changed" if they did not get they did not get their first preference of school.
He said: "The standards of education in all secondary schools across the country have never been higher and are continually improving.He said: "The standards of education in all secondary schools across the country have never been higher and are continually improving.
"It is wrong to imply that because a school was not a parent's first preference that its standards are poor"."It is wrong to imply that because a school was not a parent's first preference that its standards are poor".


Have you received notice of your child's secondary school place? Is it your first choice? Send us your comments.Have you received notice of your child's secondary school place? Is it your first choice? Send us your comments.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions