Nine out of ten parents will learn today that they have been allocated their first-choice secondary/high school in Staffordshire.
Of the 8,262 (2024: 8,482) offers made for a Staffordshire secondary school at age 11, 91.9% (2024: 90.8%) per cent were for a first-choice school. The national and regional average is around 85 per cent.
99 per cent have been allocated one of their top three preferred schools.
Parents were given until the end of October to apply for a secondary school. Since the closing date, the council’s admissions team has been working with schools and neighbouring authorities to ensure as many parents as possible receive a place at one of their preferred schools.
Most parents will be receiving emails and letters from today (Monday), informing them of where their child will be attending school in September.
This comes after the county council recently announced it would be spending around £50 million on new schools and expanding and refurbishing existing ones over the next year.
County Councillor Jonathan Price, Cabinet Member for Education (and SEND) said:
“Every year, more than 8,000 secondary school places are allocated in Staffordshire. Our admissions team has been working hard since the end of October to allocate these places across the county, and we have an excellent track record of being able to allocate well above the national average for first preferences.
“This is due to our forward planning in ensuring there are enough school places to meet demand, whether that’s by building new schools or expanding existing ones.
“Giving clear guidance, plus working with schools in Staffordshire and in neighbouring authorities, means we can allocate school places efficiently and, in the vast majority of cases, allocate parents one of their top three preferred schools.”
Information on how places were allocated at oversubscribed schools, schools with vacancies and the appeals process can be found through the county council’s website.
