Plymouth children find out to which primary school they will be attending

Thousands of Plymouth primary children will found today which school they will be going to in September.

The latest figures show that 97.32 per cent of city children (2095) were allocated one of their three preferences this year. 89.44 per cent received their first choice of school. 6.09 per cent of children received their second choice and 1.79 per cent their third choice.

Just 2.68 per cent of children did not receive any of the schools they listed as a preference and so were allocated a place at the nearest school with a vacancy. This figure has improved from last year, only 82 children compared to 112 last year.

Letters confirming school places for September 2016 were posted today. Those parents who filled out an online application form were emailed with their results. Parents then have two weeks to respond to the offer which can be done online.

A total of 3077 applications were submitted for primary school places this year. That compares with 3045 last year, when the council was able to match 88.12 per cent of families with their first choice of primary school.

Assistant Director for Learning and Communities, Judith Harwood, said: "We know what a stressful time it can be when you find out which school your child has been allocated, so we work really hard to make sure we are able to match the majority of children with their first choice of school and to support families when this isn’t possible.”

The City Council has a statutory duty to provide enough school places across the city. Currently there are enough spaces within the city to accommodate everyone who has applied for a school place and there is a reasonable bank of surplus spaces (approximately six per cent).

Judith continued: “Unfortunately, it is not always possible to offer your child a place in your preferred school. Any parent who is unhappy about the school place their child has been allocated can call our school admissions team on 01752 307166. Lines are open between 11am and 3pm or email us primary.admissions@plymouth.gov.uk.

“If we were unable to allocate to your first, second or third choice and offered you an alternative which you either need further information about or would like to know about other alternative options please contact us; we work with individual families to support them in finding the right school for their child.”

Parents are also being reminded that for any school they ranked higher than the one allocated, their child will automatically be placed on a waiting list for that school and will be considered if a vacancy comes up between now and the start of the school year.

Full details of admissions guidance and appeals information can be found by visiting www.plymouth.gov.uk/schooladmissions