Offers of primary school places out today

Families applying for their child’s first primary school place are receiving their offers today (18 April),

A total of 87 per cent of children will attend their first preference primary school, which is the same as last year - whilst overall 97 per cent have been offered one of their five preferences. A total of 9683 reception places have been allocated this year, which is 371 less than 2016 – when there was a peak in the number of applications.

Alternative places have been offered to 284 children who did not get any of their five preferences (3 per cent). Families are recommended to always include their nearest school as one of their preferences and to make sure they use all five preferences to get the best chance of being offered a preferred school.

The volume of applications makes the admissions process one of the biggest tasks in the education calendar, and this year, whilst there was a reduction in the number of applicants, the council’s school place planning team has worked hard with schools across the city to ensure there are enough places in the right areas – including creating an additional 90 ‘bulge’ places in the north Leeds area.

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, executive member for children and families said:

“For parents and carers, choosing a school for their children is one of the most important decisions they will make. I am pleased we have been able to offer 97 per cent of families one of their preferences.

"However, we do understand how disappointing and distressing it is when families aren’t allocated their preferred school, which is why we encourage parents to make sure they include their nearest school and use all five preferences to increase their chances of obtaining a place at a local school.”

Places will begin to be offered from waiting lists in May, and parents wishing to make sure they are considered in this process at the earliest opportunity must return their requests by 28 April. Anyone who has not applied should contact 0113 222 4414 or email education.admissions@leeds.gov.uk.

The full breakdown of offers for primary school places for 2017/18 is:

8458 (87%) children were given their 1^st preference (8789/ 87% last year)

594 (6%) children were given their 2^nd preference (668/ 7% last year)

205 (2%) children were given their 3^rd preference (204 / 2% last year)

84 (<1%) children were given their 4^th preference (80 / <1% last year)

58 (<1%) children were given their 5^th preference (58 / <1% last year)

284 children (3%) were not able to be offered any of their preferences (placed) and were made an alternative offer (301 or 3% last year)

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Emma Whittell, Leeds City Council press office, on (0113) 2474713

Email: emma.whittell@leeds.gov.uk