Pencils

IW first choice Primary schools higher than National, down on last year

This in from the council, in their own words. Ed


From today (Wednesday 16 April) parents on the Isle of Wight will find out if their children have secured a place at one of their chosen primary schools for the next academic year.

This year over 97 per cent of parents have been allocated one of their preferred primary schools, with 95.1 per cent allocated their first choice.

Increase on on-time applications
The Isle of Wight Council received 1,213 on time applications for the Island’s 41 primary schools, with 92 applications accepted after the closing date.

This compares to 1,135 on time applications last year, with 97.4 per cent of parents allocated their first choice school.

Offer letters dispatched
Offer letters will now be posted to all parents – those who applied online before the published deadline will be notified by email. Parents who submitted late applications will be contacted by the council’s admissions team with the best possible offer from schools with available places.

Any parents who wish to appeal against the refusal of a school place can do so with the local council via an appeals process, which will be explained in their offer letter. Each appeal is then considered by an independent panel, which will make a final decision that is binding.

Cllr Priest: “Delighted”
Councillor Richard Priest, Executive member for children’s services and education, said:

“We are delighted that the vast majority of parents have secured places at their preferred schools.

“Unfortunately it is never possible for everyone to get a place at their school of choice, however our admissions team will work with parents to secure a place at an alternative school, as close to the child’s home as possible.

“We are using this admissions data to better inform future decision making. We must be mindful that in six year’s time these children will be moving into the Island’s secondary schools and although some fluctuation is inevitable, we need to take this data into account and work with schools to help them plan for the future.”

Image: Nick Amoscato under CC BY 2.0