The number of parents in the county who have secured their first choice of secondary schools is 90.4 per cent, figures from the county council reveal today (Tuesday 4 March 2008).
Letters will have arrived at homes throughout Cumbria this morning, giving the results of their applications to parents, and explaining what they need to do next.
For the 2008/2009 Autumn term, 26 out of 41 secondary schools in the county will be taking in 100 per cent of the pupils whose parents applied for them to go to that school. These include:
- Kirkby Stephen Grammar School
- John Ruskin School in Coniston
- Millom School
- Morton School in Carlisle
- The Lakes School in Windermere
The percentage of successful first choice applications shows a drop from 96 per cent for 2007/2008, but this is likely to be reflected in the national results, which will be published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) next week. The drop in the percentage is mainly the result of a change in Government legislation which has seen the abolition of the 'first preference scheme'.
The new admissions scheme, applying for the first time with the September 2008 places allocation, is aimed at embedding fairness and a greater level of transparency into the allocation of school places. All admission authorities, including foundation and voluntary aided schools (those not belonging to the Local Authority) - are now required to consider all preferences equally. Previously, admissions authorities could consider first preferences first, then second and, if necessary, third.
One result of the new scheme is that parents are in some instances opting for a first preference at a school which they have no realistic chance of getting a place at, knowing that they will not lose any priority at their second and third choice schools."
Uncertainty over proposed academies, such as where they might be sited, has led to some schools being oversubscribed, as has the fact that some schools have reduced the number of pupils they are taking this September compared to September 2007.
John Swainston is the county council's head of schools and learning. He said:
"Cumbria has a good record in providing the vast majority of parents with their first choice of school.
"The new school admissions code should ensure that nobody will be penalised for putting a specific school down as their first choice, and the aim is to ensure that all schools are good schools."
"Like any other allocation system in any walk of life, those who have got what they wanted will be happy, and those who haven't won't be.
"However, there is a robust independent appeals process and I would urge parents to make use of it."
Details of how to appeal are given in the letters that parents will have received this morning.
More information about the admissions process and criteria can be found at http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/childrensservices/admissions/
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Further information from Alison Lister, media officer, telephone (01228) 606335
Follow this link to view a table showing total number of applications to each school