Increase in students missing out on first choice of secondary school

Parents and carers of Cheshire East school children received confirmation of the allocation of secondary school places on Wednesday, 1st March.

Cheshire East Council worked with local schools to offer 90.5 percent of Cheshire East residents their preferred school this year (a drop from 93 percent last year and 92 percent in 2021), with 96 percent receiving an offer from their three preferences (the same as in 2020).

Around 5,200 applications were received this year, an increase from just over 5,000 in 2022, and all from parents whose children will be moving up to secondary school in September 2023.

Since 2019 the council has delivered an additional 650 secondary school places, and as part of an ongoing expansion programme across the borough, a further 1,050 secondary places are planned over the next 18 months to two years. These schemes are being funded from a combination of capital from a government grant and secured developer contributions.

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, lead member for children and families, said: "Moving up to secondary school is a special time for children and their families and our team has been working hard with schools to meet parental preferences.

"Many schools across the borough have helped us by offering additional places, over their published admission numbers and to meet local need. So, it's been a huge team effort and I'd like to thank everyone involved.

"We have an ambitious programme of school expansions that aims to meet the increasing demand for places. We know that more and more families are choosing to live and work here, attracted by all that Cheshire East has to offer and the fact that, currently, 90 percent of our secondary schools are rated good or outstanding.

"We recognise that some parents will be disappointed with the offer they have received, and our advice is, please don't panic. Remember, there are options, and we will contact you if we are able to offer a place at a higher preference school.

"Finally, I'd like to wish all pupils the very best as they move to secondary school in September, that they enjoy their education and are supported to achieve their full potential."