Peterborough children find out which primary school they will start at

More than 93 per cent of Peterborough youngsters due to start primary school in September have been given a place at their first choice school.
Jonathan Lewis, service director for Education for PCC and CCC EMN-180519-081739009Jonathan Lewis, service director for Education for PCC and CCC EMN-180519-081739009
Jonathan Lewis, service director for Education for PCC and CCC EMN-180519-081739009

In Peterborough, while the number of applications received was down on last year – 2727 as opposed to 2870, the percentage of pupils being offered their first preference has increased.

Of the applications received, the Council were able to allocate first preference to 93.7 per cent of pupils (an increase from 91.5% in 2019), with 4.3% being offered their second preference, and 0.8% offered their third. The number of children not receiving one of their top three preferences dropped from 2.1% to 1.1%.

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Councillor Lynne Ayres, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education, Skills and the University at Peterborough City Council, said: “I also want to extend my thanks and say that the beginning of formal education is such an important part of anyone’s life, and I’m glad that for most of our children and families, they are able to begin their journey in a place of their choosing.”

In Cambridgeshire, the early opening of the Primary School application process saw a slight increase in the number of applications received before the submission deadline compared to previous years – with a higher percentage of children being offered their first preference than was the case in 2019.

Overall, of the 6890 applications received, the Council were able to allocate 93.7% of pupils a place at their parents’ first preference school (an increase from 92.75% in 2019), with 4.2% being offered their second preference, and 0.7% offered their third. The number of children not receiving one of their top three preferences dropped from 1.96% to 1.4%.

Jonathan Lewis, Service Director for Education at Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, said: “I’m so pleased that almost 94% of pupils will be able to attend their first preference school. I know things are particularly challenging at this time and it is tough for all our families, but hopefully for this is one thing that will bring a level of continuity and positivity. Our schools have been amazing, and I want to thank them for everything they are doing to help in such difficult circumstances.”

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Councillor Simon Bywater, Chairman of the Children and Young Peoples Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I want to say a big thank you to the County Council’s Admission’s team and everyone in our Education Directorate, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the majority of our children will be attending the school they put top of their list.”

The Councils are sending letters to parents today, letting them know the result of their application, but parents who applied online can also check for themselves:

Parents are legally entitled to appeal against the Admission Authority’s decision to refuse a place at their preferred school(s). Accepting a place at an alternative school does not affect their child’s place on the reserve list for their preferred school(s), or right of appeal.

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For more information see the Cambridgeshire County Council’s Appeals page https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/schools-learning/apply-for-a-school-place/admission-appealsand Peterborough’s Appeals page https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/schools-and-education/school-admissions/school-admissions-appealsParents should be aware that appeals are likely to be delayed due to the current coronavirus situation.