95% of Wiltshire children given their first choice of secondary school for this September

Figures released today (1st March 2022) show 95% of parents have been offered a place at their first preference school for their child – a jump of nearly three per cent since 2021.

Wiltshire has been able to offer 95.36% of parents their first preference – and 98.6% of parents a place at one of their three preferred schools.

Parents who applied online have found out their decisions today, while those who applied by post will have their decisions posted out to them today (1st March).

The results of online applications are available here.

Parents will need their user ID and password to access their decisions.

According to the council, 5253 applications were received for this September – 208 more than 2021. This is due to the number of children transferring to secondary school in September 2022 being slightly higher than in 2021.

Most people applied online, with 99% or 5195 submitted digitally, and just 58 paper applications.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said, “Choosing the right secondary school for your child is such an important step and I’m pleased that once again Wiltshire families will have good news about their preferred schools. These healthy figures are possible due to the careful planning and strategic thought that our officers invest to ensure there are sufficient places for this September but also for the years ahead.

“I wish all our pupils and their families the best as they can now look ahead to September and preparations for making that important step from primary to secondary.”

All applicants have until 15th March 2022 to accept the offer they receive. The right to an independent appeal is open to anyone who has not received an offer at their preferred school.

Details of how to appeal are available here.