2008 & 2009 Allocation numbers

[Sally-Anne]

Thanks to a link that "All Too Much" posted from the Bucks Free Press, we now have actual facts and figures about the allocation numbers for this year, and comparative figures for last year.

The numbers are taken from the DCSF website.

Code: Select all

	                            2009	 2008
		
Applications received          5954	 5769

Online applications	         38.5%   39.4%

Total school places	         5843	 5804

1st preference	              53.3%	55.5%
		
2nd preference	              19.2%	18.7%
		
3rd preference	              13.4%	13.6%
		
Any preferred school	        92.6%	94.4%
		
No preferred school	          7.4%	 5.6%

:: There was a 3.2% increase in the number of school applications among Bucks children - 185 extra children.

:: There were 440 children who did not receive places on 2nd March this year at any of the preferred schools named on their CAF, compared to 323 in 2008.

Obviously we have no information yet on what the split between Grammar and Upper Schools is.

[andyb]

Just a quickie - does the 53% of children allocated their first choice take into account that many children will have put a grammar school first but then not achieved a qualifying score? In effect their second (or third) choice would become their first choice and if this is ignored then it looks as though Bucks CC is doing worse than it actually is. What I'm trying to say is there could be many more children being allocated their first preference for the school they are qualified for than the raw figures suggest.

[Sally-Anne]

Yes, the figure of 53.3% reflects the fact that some children cannot receive their first preference school simply because they didn't qualify.

The figures for GS qualified children receiving their first preference catchment school are usually in the high 90% range, and the same goes for US qualified children.

[Sally-Anne]

To add to that, I was really quite sorry to read a report in the Times today which named Bucks as being one of the poorest performing LAs for allocating first preference places.

A complete failure by the journalist concerned to understand the system.

I also blame the DCSF for not highlighting the exceptional nature of Bucks and other selective areas in their "Notes to Editors" - they only mention the discrepancy in the general notes, as follows:

The effect on the percentage of applicants being offered their first preference school where parents do not know the outcome of tests before they express a preference

It all creates an impression that Bucks parents have a 50:50 chance of getting their first preference, regardless of the selective nature of the system, which is simply not true.

Sally-Anne

[Alex]

Very unfair. Compare with Lincs where the results are known before applications are submitted (and where there is a mixed system, some areas selective and some not):
89.3% have received their first preference (total numbers 8049)
It will rise to well over 90% by the end of the school year after appeals and the usual "shakedown".

[andyb]

To add to that, I was really quite sorry to read a report in the Times today which named Bucks as being one of the poorest performing LAs for allocating first preference places.

A complete failure by the journalist concerned to understand the system.
Sally-Anne

Yes - this was what prompted the question really. In effect, children in Bucks are more likely to receive the first preference school that they are qualified for than most other councils. Perhaps the journalists need to go back to school

[Dad40]

To add to that, I was really quite sorry to read a report in the Times today which named Bucks as being one of the poorest performing LAs for allocating first preference places.

The Bucks Free Press has done exactly the same. What a dreadful excuse for a local newspaper that rag is.

The Bucks Examiner has a more accurate piece on their front page about people who've lost out in the allocations this year. It also mentions this site.