No improvement in primary school places for September

Nearly 10% of children starting school in Wiltshire will not be attending their first choice primary school this September.
Letters are going out to parents of 5,211 children this week informing them which school their child will attend this autumn.

The figures for Wiltshire have remained similar to last year with 91 per cent of children given a place at the first choice school, five per cent at their second choice and one percent at their third choice or lower.
Sending out the school choice letters 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 at Wiltshire Council 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 forward planning predicts a rise in numbers.

Richard Gamble portfolio holder for education said: "Starting school is an important milestone in every young child's life and we have a good track record in helping children attend the school of their choice. There are pressures on places nationally but here in Wiltshire over 97 percent (sic) of children will be attending one of their preferred primary school choices this September."