Marion Clayton, Cabinet Member for Achievement and Learning, said: "I am pleased to say that 92.4% of Buckinghamshire resident children can be offered one of their six preferred schools this year
I can't say that I think that is much to crow about - ONE of their SIX choices.
I wonder how many got their 1st preference, and I wonder how many people actually put their 1st preference because many do not as they know/think they don't have a chance.
Yes, I totally agree. To be unable to offer nearly 8% of the children ANY of their 6 preferred schools is a dismal record. Like you I wonder how many got their first choice. Another FOI request maybe?
You'll never get 100% getting their first choice (or even one of their choices) because some people make unrealistic choices, eg. applying only to schools that they're out of catchment for, or ranking htem in a way that lessens their changes.
I am curious about this too, so I have sent a request to Bucks under the FOI Act. They claim they have to respond within 20 days, so I'll post back when I hear from them.
I was told by the head of a local secondary that is very close (2.5 miles) but just out of catchment that we would not get a place if we put a Grammar as our first choice and the secondary as our second choice. If we wanted a better chance of getting a place we would need to put it as the top of our list above any Grammar.