EDUCATION: Children to hear of secondary school places (From News Shopper)

EDUCATION: Children to hear of secondary school places

7:33am Monday 1st March 2010 in

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Thousands of children across the News Shopper area are today (March 1) due to discover whether they have been given a place at their preferred secondary school.

Councils will send letters to more than half a million families across England to inform them whether their applications have been successful.

Last year, almost one in six 10 and 11-year-olds missed out on their top choice of school.

Of the 546,744 youngsters allocated places at secondary schools for last September nearly 92,000 failed to get their preferred option.

Results for applications in 149 local authorities, released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, showed 83.2 per cent were offered a place at their preferred school for September, an increase of 1.1 per cent on the previous year.

The refusal rate was 16.8 per cent.

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families was unable to disclose the proportion of pupils who would secure first-choice schools for this September but said figures would be released in about a week's time.

Schools Minister Diana Johnson said: "The vast majority of parents get a place at their preferred school, most at their first preference.

"All admission policies must be fair, clear and objective.

"The tiny number of appeals heard compared to the overall number of admissions shows the system is working for the vast majority."

For the first time ever, parents and youngsters could be receiving the news via text message.

Did you land your preferred choice or maybe you missed out? Call the newsroom and tell us your story on 01689 885732 or email newsroom@london.newsquest.co.uk.