More than 13,500 pupils who are due to start secondary school in Essex for the first time in September have been offered their parents’ top preference of school.
About 15,700 parents in the county will discover the outcome of their secondary school applications today (1 March), with those who applied online getting confirmation by email or via the Essex County Council website.
Despite the largest secondary school cohort this decade, the council’s continued investment in creating new school places means 86.21 per cent of pupils have been offered their parents’ first preference of school.
A further 7.44 per cent have been offered their second preference, meaning 93.65 per cent have been offered either their first or second preference.
The latest statistics come after the council allocated a further £87million for creating new mainstream school places in the county as part of its ambitious new budget.
Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “We remain committed to ensuring young people in Essex receive the best possible education and I am delighted we have again been able to offer the vast majority of children their preferred place this year.
