Figures show more children will go to their preferred secondary school. Bradford has seen an increase of 3% in the number of pupils being offered their first preference of secondary school place.
The figures, which have been released as part of Secondary Allocation for National Offer Day on 2 March 2020, show that over 75% of pupils across the Bradford District will receive their first preference, compared to 72% in 2019.
This means that 6,057 children will be offered their first preference school, an increase of more than 180 when compared to 2019 and the highest figure in five years.
In addition, 1% (87) fewer children have been allocated against their preference. This is when children do not receive any of their preferences and are allocated the nearest school with an available place which may require public transport.
This means that all children who live in the Bradford District and applied on time for a Bradford school have been offered a school place and those allocated against preference have been offered a local or accessible school.
Bradford Council’s Admissions Team have sent emails to parents and carers who applied online confirming the outcome of their application. Parents and carers who did not apply online will be sent letters directly to their home address by post. Any parent or carer who applied online but indicated that they did not wish to receive an email will also be sent a letter. Parents who are expecting letters are asked not to contact the Council before 5 March to allow time for their letters to arrive. Allocations will not be disclosed over the phone.
Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, said: "It is very good news that more Bradford families are getting into their first preference of secondary school with this year's figure of 75 per cent a three per cent increase on last year and up to a five-year high. "Of the 8,036 total applications from families for a secondary school place for September, more than 93 per cent have been allocated a school they have chosen. "We appreciate how much it means to families to secure a place for their child at the school of their choice and we try very hard to achieve this wherever we possibly can. We continue to work hard to ensure that our secondary schools have the capacity to meet demand for places."