scramble for Staffordshire school places

The most popular and the least sought-after primary school in Staffordshire can today be revealed – with three children scrambling for every space in some cases.

Parents now face a nervous wait until April 20 to find out if their child has managed to win a place at their top-choice school.

Figures reveal that Gorsemoor Primary in Heath Hayes, Cannock, is one of the county's most sought-after schools, with 165 parents naming it as one of their preferred choices, which offers 60 places.

Meanwhile Bridgtown Primary, also in Cannock, was the most under-subscribed school. Sixty places were on offer but just 26 parents applied for their child to go there.

The amount of applications a school receives depends on a number of factors such as its size, how many places it is offering, the size of its catchment area and its popularity.

Paul Bennett, headteacher at Gorsemoor, said: "I think it comes down to a combination of the growing population in Heath Hayes and the fact that we are a popular school.

Parents perceive Gorsemoor as being a good school. If I'm honest I'd like to offer more places than I am currently.

"We have a large catchment area and lots of brothers and sisters of current pupils want to come here."

Chancel Primary in Rugeley and Haughton St Giles CoE Primary near Stafford and Birches First School in Codsall all had more than three families chasing each school place.

In other areas of the West Midlands, as many as eight pupils are competing for every one space at some of the top schools.

A total of 260 parents put Lightwoods Primary in Sandwell down as one of their choices – eight children chasing each of its 30 places.

Councillor Liz Staples, cabinet member for education in Staffordshire, said: "There are many things to take into account, such as size of catchment area but also things like how many places are on offer. If a school doesn't have loads of applications, it doesn't necessarily mean it's not popular."