This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/8539750.stm
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
Pupils to be told school places | Pupils to be told school places |
(about 1 hour 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, down 1.4% on last year. | |
In 1997, a parent had a one in two chance of going to an underperforming school Diana JohnsonSchools minister | In 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-plus | 11-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, 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. | 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. |
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 & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |