Another big increase in Devon secondary school first preferences

There’s been another big increase in the number of families being allocated their first choice of Devon secondary school places for September. New figures show that 93.5 per cent of families have been offered their first preference.

There’s been another big increase in the number of families being allocated their first choice of Devon secondary school places for September.

New figures announced today (Monday March 3) show that 93.5 per cent of families who applied for a place next September have been offered their first preference.

That compares with 92.5 percent last year and 90.4 percent the year before.

In all, 98.2 per cent of families will get one of their three preferences with 4.1 per cent allocated their second preference and 0.5 per cent their third. That compares with 97.8 per cent last year.

This year, 7,398 allocations were made for a place at a Devon mainstream secondary school.

The figures include pupils with Education Health and Care Plans who have been allocated mainstream school places in Devon. These children have all been prioritised for placement in a mainstream school in accordance with the department for education school admissions code.

Parents will be notified of their places today and our admissions team will be available to deal with enquiries supported by our schools’ team at Devon’s Customer Service Centre.

Our Cabinet Member for schools, Andrew Leadbetter, said:

“When the national statistics are released, it’s likely that Devon will, once again, have one of the best figures for meeting school preferences.

“It is a testament to the hard work of our admissions and school organisation teams and the partnership and co-operation we have received from the heads, staff and governors of Devon’s secondary schools that more than nine out of 10 families have received their first preference and the number is up on last year.

“These are obviously early statistics and are quite likely to improve even more before September as appeals are heard and other factors are taken into account, such as parents not taking up places they have been offered.”