500 Wiltshire children miss out on first choice school

Letters are going out to parents of 5,313 children this week informing them which school their child will attend this autumn.

The figures for Wiltshire have remained similar to last year with 10% of children failing to get a place at their first choice school.

This year parents also had the option of applying for places online and 82 per cent, 4,398 applications, were made this way.

Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children's services, said:

"Starting school is an important milestone in every young child's life and I'm really pleased that once again we can offer so many families the places they want. There may be pressure on places nationally but here in Wiltshire we continue our good track record in ensuring children can attend a school of their choice."

Preparing school choice information is part of the work the council carries out to ensure schools are prepared with the varying numbers of children coming through the system each year.

Teams prepare forward plans by looking at birth rates and new housing developments to assess how they will affect school figures in the future. Expected parental preference and other circumstances are also factored into the equations. If needed, additional classes or extensions are created at schools where planning predicts a rise in numbers.

In March, figures showed more than 98 per cent of Wiltshire children will be attending one of their preferred secondary schools this September with 95 per cent offered their first choice school.