Almost 90 per cent get first choice primary school place in Black Country and Staffordshire

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton City Council said 97 per cent of parents who submitted applications for reception class places on time secured a place at one of their preferred infant or primary schools.

Almost 89pc got their first choice - an increase from 87.8 per cent last year.

More than 3,330 parents applied for places on time, with 171 late applications received.

Dr Jim McElligott, director of education, said: "The figures released today show how important it is that parents and guardians get their applications in on time, as missing the deadline significantly affect their chances of securing a place at their preferred school as we must give priority to people who have applied by the deadline.

"I'd therefore urge all parents whose children are due to start in reception class at infant or primary schools for the first time in September 2016 to make a note of the closing date for next year's applications, which will be January 15, 2016."

He said the council will be operating waiting lists over the coming months, and parents unhappy with the allocation can appeal to an independent panel.

Any parents of children due to start in reception class this autumn who haven't yet applied for a place should do so immediately by calling the council's school admissions team on 01902 551459.

Staffordshire

Nine out of 10 parents in Staffordshire have been offered their first choice primary school for their children - despite a rise in pupil numbers putting pressure on places.

The majority of parents - 8,434 out of 9,332 - have been allocated a place at their top choice, with 97 per cent allocated one of their top three preferred schools.

It comes despite a rise in birth rates of up to 11 per cent in the county over the last decade.

An extra 2,000 primary school places have already been provided across the county through expanding existing schools and building new ones.

With birth rates set to rise again and a planned increase in new housing, the county council is now looking to build more primary and secondary schools in the areas where they are most needed.

Councillor Ian Parry, who is the deputy leader of the county council, said: "Rising birth rates nationally has meant an impact on primary school places in Staffordshire.

"In response to this, we have added extra capacity and increased the number of available school places to ensure the majority of parents are offered one of their top three choices.

"We have already added capacity in Burton, Lichfield and Stafford, either by making better use of existing accommodation or through building new schools and this will continue for the next few years."

Parents have started receiving letters about which places they have been offered. Those who applied on the internet can also now access the decision online.

Around 300 children of servicemen are moving to Stafford from Germany in the summer.

The move is part of the MOD's Borona programme and will see two signal regiments move from Germany to the town.

The county council has put in place a number of measures to accommodate the youngsters, including building a new school and increasing capacity in others.

Earlier this week it was announced that around 400 extra spaces will be created in primary schools across Cannock.

Council bosses said they will need £4.5 million to carry out the work, with the money being spent on building new classrooms and facilities.

Schools in line for a slice of the cash include West Hill Primary in Hednesford and Hob Hill Primary in Rugeley.

Dudley

Around nine in every 10 pupils have got their first choice of primary school across Dudley and Worcestershire.

Latest figures have been released showcasing how many pupils got their preferred school starting in September.

Dudley Council's childrens services department, overseen by Councillor Tim Crumpton, said 3,399 pupils or 89 per cent secured at a place at their preferred schools.

Latest figures reveal more than five per cent or 214 got their second choice school while a further 70 were allocated a place at their third choice.

Dudley Council strategic director, Tony Oakman, said: "We are pleased that all children have been offered a place and that 97 per cent have been offered a school of their choice.

"Therefore, unfortunately there will inevitably be some disappointment for a few families, particularly where parents have selected popular schools some distance from where they live."

Worcestershire County Council, covering Clent, Hagley and Wyre Forest, said 5,695 or 90 per cent of pupils had been offered a place at their first choice school.

Across in Sandwell borough, 88 per cent of pupils were offered their first choice of primary school while that figure was also matched in Wolverhampton.