THERE has been an increase in the number of children receiving their first preference at local primary schools, according to St Helens Council's admissions team.

Figures have risen to 90.52 per cent for September 2015 admission from 88.52 last year, says the council.

There has also been a decrease in the number of children who
received second and third preference offers or an alternative offer.

It means that 1834 out of 2026 St Helens applicants were offered places for their children at their first preference primary school, up from 1805 out of 2039 last year.

Andy Dempsey, Director of Children and Young People’s Services at St Helens Council, said: “Our Admissions Team and schools have worked exceptionally hard to achieve these
excellent results.

"I’m proud of the effort they’ve put in and delighted that the vast majority of local families will obtain a place at a school of their choice.

"If any parent has a continuing concern about the place their child has been allocated I would ask them to contact the Admissions Team on either 01744 671029\030 in order to resolve matters.”

The Star understands a number of primary schools are consulting on potential increasing pupil intakes to meet the demand of growing birth rates.


School admissions: A statistical breakdown


  ·    Second preference offers are at 101 (4.99 per cent) down from 126
     (6.18 per cent) last year.

 

  ·    Third preference offers are at 27 (1.33 per cent) down from 29 (1.42
     per cent) in 2014.

 

  ·    Alternative offers are at 64 (3.16 per cent) down from 79 (3.88 per
     cent) last year.

 

  ·    Total offers of St Helens schools to home local authority (LA)
     residents: 1976 (97.53 per cent) compared to 1983 (97.25 per cent)
     last year.

 

  ·    Total offers to home LA residents for other LA schools: 50 (2.47 per
     cent) compared to 56 (2.75 per cent) in 2014.

 

  ·    Total number of vacant places increased to 216 from 176 last year.