75pc of Sandwell pupils given first choice of school

Almost three-quarters of pupils in Sandwell have been given their first choice secondary school, it was revealed today.

moreA total of 2,825 pupils out of 3,786 have been successful in gaining a place at their top choice of school – a total of 74.6 per cent. The figure is slightly down from the 77 per cent last year.

The number of families gaining their second choice school was also revealed as 460, around 12.15 per cent, while there were 161 who got their third choice, 65 their fourth, 37 their fifth and 16 their sixth.

There was also a group of some 222 families who did not get any of their top six preferences for schools for their children.

These families will now be able to lodge appeals against the decisions.

It was today revealed that 1,350 parents applied for 180 places at Sandwell Academy.

The Halfords Lane academy was recently rated outstanding in an Ofsted report.

Its performance was a highlight for the borough in league tables as it was named top for its GCSE results – 72 per cent of its 183 pupils walked away with five or more A*-C grades with English and maths.

It also came top of the pile for Key Stage 5 – based on the average scores of its A-level pupils and pupils taking equivalent qualifications, and was named among the top 200 schools of all types in the country for Key Stage 5 vocational qualifications.

A further 712 parents asked for their children to attend Wood Green Academy, Wednesbury, where 256 youngsters have been accepted for the next academic year.

Today's figures also show there were 709 parents who applied for their children to attend Oldbury Academy.

The fourth most popular school was Perryfields High School, where there were 632 requests from parents compared to 240 places filled.

Another 528 parents asked for their children to attend Q3 Academy in Great Barr, where 180 were accepted.

The number of families gaining their second choices was also revealed as 460, around 12.15 per cent, not far from one in eight parents.

There were 161 who got their third choice, 65 their fourth, 37 their fifth and 16 their sixth.

It means that according to figures released today, 91 per cent of parents applying saw their children allocated a place at one of their top three preferences.

Last year, the council said 77 per cent of first preferences were met, with 92 per cent being allocated a place at one of their top three preferences.

In Staffordshire meanwhile, nine out of 10 parents were today hearing their child had been placed in their first choice of secondary school in the county.

Of the 6,739 applications made for transfer at age 11, 96 per cent of parents were given their first preference school, with a total of 99 per cent allocated one of their top three preferred schools.