Majority of parents offered top choice of primary school

The majority of parents in Staffordshire will find out today (April 16) that they have been allocated their first-choice primary school.

More than 95 per cent of parents will find out that they have been allocated a place at their top preferred primary school, with more than 99 per cent being offered one of their top three choices.

Figures revealed today show that out of a total 8,802 places allocated, 8,365 received their first-choice primary school while 8,725 were allocated one of their top three.

Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Jonathan Price said: “Our admissions team have been working really hard to ensure all Staffordshire parents know where their children will be going to school in September this year.

“Allocating places always comes with challenges, especially with the increased demand for school places. The fact that we can consistently allocate the overwhelming majority of parents their first-choice primary school shows how hard our admissions team works, and also how helpful it is that the majority of parents submit their primary school preferences on time.”

The county council recently announced that a total of £56 million will be spent on building new schools, and maintaining and improving existing ones in Staffordshire over the coming year.

This includes building new primary schools in Stafford, Tamworth, East Staffordshire and Lichfield.

Jonathan added: “It is important to plan for the future, and ensure we are building schools that mitigate the rise in demand for school places. Our forward planning has ensured that the overwhelming majority of parents are consistently allocated one of their top choice secondary or primary schools.”

Parents who applied online will be receiving emails about the results from today onwards.