Almost 90 per cent secure their first choice school

An average of 87.3 per cent of parents applying for a school place in Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall found out they had been successful on National Offer Day on Tuesday.

In Staffordshire 92.8pc got their first choice primary school.

An average of 95.6 per cent of parents in Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Stafford and Walsall secured one of their preferred school places. Figures are not yet available for Dudley.

In Wolverhampton, the percentage of children allocated a place at their first choice school was 84.2 per cent, while 94.7 per cent received a place at a preferred school.

Alex Jones, Wolverhampton council’s assistant director of education, said: “The council works hard with local providers to ensure as many children as possible are able to go to school where they want to, and it is pleasing that so many parents have secured reception class places at one of their preferred schools.

“It is also important to stress that every child has been allocated a place at one of the city’s schools.

“There are unfortunately always going to be some parents and pupils disappointed because they haven’t got a place at the school they wanted.

“I’d like to reassure them that schools are operating waiting lists and if places become available they will be re-allocated. Parents who are unhappy with their allocation can also appeal to an independent panel.” In Sandwell, 86.6 per cent – 4,099 of 4,733 applicants – were offered their first choice of school, while 94 per cent secured a place at one of their top three school choices.

Chris Ward, director of education, skills and employment in Sandwell, said: “We are consistently proving we are able to keep up with demand for primary school places and it’s good news we are offering such a high percentage of parents their preferred choice.”

In Dudley, out of 3,995 applications 3,541 – or 88.6pc – were offered their first choice. In Staffordshire, 9,303 places have been allocated, with 8,630 – or 92.8pc – receiving their first choice primary school, and 9,120 – or 98pc – getting one of their top three. Helen Riley, deputy chief executive and director for communities and families at Staffordshire County Council, said: “Our admissions team has been working hard since applications closed to ensure all places have been allocated, and it helps that the majority of parents in the county put down three or more choices, increasing their chances of being allocated one of their preferred places.”

In Walsall, 3,109 pupils – or nearly 90pc – secured their first choice place out of 3,462 applicants, while 3,309 – or 95.5pc – secured a place at one of their top three schools.

A council spokesman said: “Walsall residents who submitted on time applications were offered a place at one of their preferred schools, with almost 90pc of children offered their parent’s first preference. These figures are in line with previous years.”