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Fewer offered places at chosen schools | Fewer offered places at chosen schools |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The percentage of pupils in England admitted to their first-choice secondary school has fallen for the first time in five years, figures show. | The percentage of pupils in England admitted to their first-choice secondary school has fallen for the first time in five years, figures show. |
Some 85.2% of 11-year-olds gained places at their first-choice school this year, against 86.7% last year. | Some 85.2% of 11-year-olds gained places at their first-choice school this year, against 86.7% last year. |
The number of applications for secondary school rose this year for the first time since 2008. | The number of applications for secondary school rose this year for the first time since 2008. |
There were 521,274 applications this year, compared with 499,968 last year - a rise of 4.3%. | There were 521,274 applications this year, compared with 499,968 last year - a rise of 4.3%. |
About one in seven 11-year-olds did not get a place at their first choice school, according to the figures, published by the Department for Education. | About one in seven 11-year-olds did not get a place at their first choice school, according to the figures, published by the Department for Education. |
The squeeze on places also showed the first fall in five years in the proportion getting any of their top three preferences - 95.5% this year, compared with 96.5% last year - and in the percentage getting an offer from any of their preferred schools - 96.8% this year compared with 97.8% last year. | The squeeze on places also showed the first fall in five years in the proportion getting any of their top three preferences - 95.5% this year, compared with 96.5% last year - and in the percentage getting an offer from any of their preferred schools - 96.8% this year compared with 97.8% last year. |
Families are able to list up to five or six preferred schools on their application forms. | Families are able to list up to five or six preferred schools on their application forms. |
The places are announced on National Offer Day in March. | |
This year saw the first ever National Offer Day for primary places. | This year saw the first ever National Offer Day for primary places. |
In April, parents across England learned which infant school their child would attend from September. | |
"The increase in birth rates and, following on from that, the pressure on primary school places has been well documented over the last few years. | "The increase in birth rates and, following on from that, the pressure on primary school places has been well documented over the last few years. |
"Despite this the overall proportion of applicants receiving their first preference offer was higher than at secondary level at 87.7%," note the statisticians. | "Despite this the overall proportion of applicants receiving their first preference offer was higher than at secondary level at 87.7%," note the statisticians. |
About 95.7% of four-year-olds got one of their top three choices, with 96.4% gaining a place at any one of their preferred schools. | About 95.7% of four-year-olds got one of their top three choices, with 96.4% gaining a place at any one of their preferred schools. |
Postcode lottery | Postcode lottery |
Overall there were 623,526 applications for primary school places this year. | Overall there were 623,526 applications for primary school places this year. |
The government says that as this is the first year these figures have been collected centrally there is no comparison data with previous years. | The government says that as this is the first year these figures have been collected centrally there is no comparison data with previous years. |
For both primary and secondary applications Londoners found it hardest to get their preferred schools | For both primary and secondary applications Londoners found it hardest to get their preferred schools |
At secondary level only 70.2% families got their first choice in London, with the lowest results in the London Borough of Westminster at 58.4%. | At secondary level only 70.2% families got their first choice in London, with the lowest results in the London Borough of Westminster at 58.4%. |
The highest first choice success rate was in the North East region at 92.4%. | The highest first choice success rate was in the North East region at 92.4%. |
At primary level London's first preference rate was 81.1%. Again families in the North East fared best with 91.5% receiving an offer from their first choice primary school. | At primary level London's first preference rate was 81.1%. Again families in the North East fared best with 91.5% receiving an offer from their first choice primary school. |
A government spokesman said ensuring enough school places for the growing population was a top priority. | |
"That is why we have more than doubled to £5bn the funding available to councils to create new school places and are allowing new schools to expand without the restrictions and bureaucracy they faced in the past," he said. | |
The spokesman said this had led to the creation of 260,000 new school places, including 212,000 in primary schools, since May 2010. |
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