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Version 3 Version 4
Delay over for parents on places Delay over for parents on places
(about 1 hour later)
A website used by parents in the London area to find out if their child got the secondary school place of their choice has become operational again.A website used by parents in the London area to find out if their child got the secondary school place of their choice has become operational again.
The eadmissions site was unavailable for more than seven hours earlier, affecting 34,000 applicants who registered online. The e-admissions site was unavailable for more than seven hours earlier, affecting about 34,000 applicants who registered online in London and Surrey.
The site went down at 0400 GMT but was up and running again by about 1140 GMT. Parents will also be receiving letters.The site went down at 0400 GMT but was up and running again by about 1140 GMT. Parents will also be receiving letters.
In London and Birmingham a third of pupils have not got their first choice.In London and Birmingham a third of pupils have not got their first choice.
In London thousands of anxious parents have been trying to log onto the e-admissions website for online applications.In London thousands of anxious parents have been trying to log onto the e-admissions website for online applications.
A statement on the website said: "We apologise for the disruption to the eadmissions site caused by an overarching network issue un-related to the eadmissions site itself.A statement on the website said: "We apologise for the disruption to the eadmissions site caused by an overarching network issue un-related to the eadmissions site itself.
"The system is now working correctly and applicants should also be receiving emails with their outcomes.""The system is now working correctly and applicants should also be receiving emails with their outcomes."
Local councils across the country are sending letters, e-mails and text messages to parents with details of the places they have been offered.Local councils across the country are sending letters, e-mails and text messages to parents with details of the places they have been offered.
National pictureNational picture
As the wait goes on for many, figures show children in about one in three families in some of England's biggest cities have not been offered a place at their first choice secondary school.As the wait goes on for many, figures show children in about one in three families in some of England's biggest cities have not been offered a place at their first choice secondary school.
The proportions getting their first choices are slightly lower than last year in London and Birmingham.The proportions getting their first choices are slightly lower than last year in London and Birmingham.
But in some rural areas, more than 95% were given their first choice places.But in some rural areas, more than 95% were given their first choice places.
More than half a million pupils across England are finding out which secondary schools they will attend next autumn.More than half a million pupils across England are finding out which secondary schools they will attend next autumn.
SCHOOL PLACES London: 66% offered first choice, 6% no offer from any of six choicesBirmingham: 66% first choice, 5% no offer from any of six choicesWorcestershire: 91% first choiceLeeds: 84% first choiceSheffield: 89% first choiceNorfolk: 95% first choiceSCHOOL PLACES London: 66% offered first choice, 6% no offer from any of six choicesBirmingham: 66% first choice, 5% no offer from any of six choicesWorcestershire: 91% first choiceLeeds: 84% first choiceSheffield: 89% first choiceNorfolk: 95% first choice
The overall national figures for England will not be available for a couple of weeks - but last year more than eight out of 10 children were allocated places in their first preference school.The overall national figures for England will not be available for a couple of weeks - but last year more than eight out of 10 children were allocated places in their first preference school.
This year, an average of 65.7% of pupils across the capital will get their first choice school place - marginally down on last year's 66.05%.This year, an average of 65.7% of pupils across the capital will get their first choice school place - marginally down on last year's 66.05%.
This success rate ranged from 49% in Wandsworth to 88% in Harrow.This success rate ranged from 49% in Wandsworth to 88% in Harrow.
Across London, 88% of almost 80,000 youngsters achieved one of their top three school choices. About 6% of pupils have not been offered a place at any of their six choices - and will be allocated an alternative place.Across London, 88% of almost 80,000 youngsters achieved one of their top three school choices. About 6% of pupils have not been offered a place at any of their six choices - and will be allocated an alternative place.
The chairman of the London Inter Authority Admissions Group, Graham Carter, said: "For the sixth year running, London's admissions system has been able to place more than 90% of pupils at a school of their choice and two-thirds have been offered a place at their first choice school."The chairman of the London Inter Authority Admissions Group, Graham Carter, said: "For the sixth year running, London's admissions system has been able to place more than 90% of pupils at a school of their choice and two-thirds have been offered a place at their first choice school."
The relatively low rate of getting a first choice in London reflects the range of options and the popularity of some schools, which are heavily oversubscribed.The relatively low rate of getting a first choice in London reflects the range of options and the popularity of some schools, which are heavily oversubscribed.
In Birmingham, out of almost 14,000 applicants this year, some 9,300, or 66.5%, had been offered their first-choice secondary school, down 1.4% on last year.In Birmingham, out of almost 14,000 applicants this year, some 9,300, or 66.5%, had been offered their first-choice secondary school, down 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 Leeds, 84% of the 7,837 applying received their first preference this year, compared to 6,613 pupils, or 82%, last year. In Brighton and Hove, 2,266 pupils applied and 82% got their first choice.In Leeds, 84% of the 7,837 applying received their first preference this year, compared to 6,613 pupils, or 82%, last year. In Brighton and Hove, 2,266 pupils applied and 82% got their first choice.
In Manchester 78% of the 4,926 applying got their first preference, compared to 77% of the 4659 applying last year.In Manchester 78% of the 4,926 applying got their first preference, compared to 77% of the 4659 applying last year.
In some rural areas there is a much higher rate of pupils getting their first preference - such as Norfolk, which was above 95%.In some rural areas there is a much higher rate of pupils getting their first preference - such as Norfolk, which was above 95%.
Groundhog DayGroundhog Day
Mary Bousted, general secretary of the ATL teachers' union, attacked the attention given to getting a first preference school place.Mary Bousted, general secretary of the ATL teachers' union, attacked the attention given to getting a first preference school place.
"As usual, the vast majority of 11-year-olds will get a place at their, or their parents', preferred school," she said."As usual, the vast majority of 11-year-olds will get a place at their, or their parents', preferred school," she said.
"But we are back to Groundhog Day and the annual angst over how many pupils get into their first choice school.""But we are back to Groundhog Day and the annual angst over how many pupils get into their first choice school."
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.
"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 under-performing 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 under-performing schools and expanded the best."
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.


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