Almost 90 per cent of Year 6 pupils in the county have been awarded their first choice of secondary school, North Yorkshire County Council has revealed. 

Since the deadline for applications at the end of October, families across the district have been waiting anxiously to find out whether their child will be able to move up to the school of their choice.

The long wait ended this morning when parents and carers were informed which school their children would have to attend in the autumn. 

A total of 89.84 per cent secured their first preference, with 96.4 per cent of all families in the county who requested a school place receiving an offer from North Yorkshire County Council for one of their top three preferences of secondary school. 

This year, 6,262 North Yorkshire pupils are transferring to secondary school. 

The county council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said:  

“Once again, so many of our families have gained the first preference from their choice of schools, which is great news.” 

In North Yorkshire, parents can list up to five schools in order of preference on their common application form, but this year, some parents did not use all five options and others did not complete an application form at all. 

This meant that the council, which must ensure each child is allocated a school place on national offer day, had to place some children in schools further way from their home.

However, disappointed parents can appeal, and the council said its admissions team would try to accommodate their wishes. Appeals for a place at a particular secondary school must be received by March 29; these will be assessed between April and June.

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In North Yorkshire, 95% of families have secured their first choice of primary school for their child.

Today, many families will have breathed a sigh of relief after receiving news of where their child will attend primary school in September.

A total of 94.91% of families received a place at their first-choice school and 98% got one of their top three preferences.

One Stray Ferret reader said she was “over the moon” her daughter had been offered a place at their preferred school.

Another got in touch to say their child would also be starting at their first-choice school in the next academic year, but remarked that her child had grown up so fast as they still “seem too little”.

Similar high percentages were seen in March when older children received their high school places. Nine out of ten children in the county secured a place at their first-choice high school.

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Stuart Carlton, corporate director of children and young people’s services, said:

“We are pleased that so many families continue to gain the first preference from their choice of schools and that the percentage remains consistently high.

“As a local authority we work hard with all North Yorkshire schools to ensure they deliver the highest standards of education so that families who are not given first preferences can still send their children to good schools.

“We wish all children starting primary school in September all the best and hope they experience a happy and exciting start in their new schools.”