More than 1,000 children across the Island have been offered places at secondary schools this week.
Friday was National Offer Day when youngsters up and down the country learn which secondary school they will attend for the 2024/25 academic year.
96% offered one of their preferred schools
On the Island, 96 per cent of parents have been offered a place for their child at one of their preferred schools. This compares to 94 per cent in 2023.
In total, the Isle of Wight council received 1,211 applications on time.
Of those, 1,030 (85 per cent) received their first choice for September 2024, 114 (9 per cent) their second choice and 22 (3 per cent) their third choice.
This compares to 80 per cent, 11 per cent and three per cent, respectively, in 2023.
Every on-time applicant was offered a place at a school. There are some families who applied late and are not included in the figures.
Bacon: We strive to make the application process as easy as possible
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills, said,
“I am delighted to see that nearly all of the applicants got a place at one of their preferred schools, with most getting their first choice and everyone being offered a place.
“We strive to make the application process as easy as possible in cooperation with our Island schools, while accommodating families’ choices in the majority of cases.
“I appreciate how tough the transition can be from primary to secondary and how crucial pupil choice is in both preserving existing friendships and local, community links.”
Parents who have applied for a primary school place for their child will be notified on 16 April 2024.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
