West Berkshire secondary school first choice allocations remain high despite increased numbers of pupils

Almost all applicants for secondary school places in West Berkshire were offered one of their school preferences this year.

The number of year 6 pupils - who all received notification of their allocated secondary school for September 2022 this morning (Tuesday) - has risen to its highest level, but West Berkshire Council said almost 98 per cent have been offered one of their secondary school preferences.

Just over 88 per cent of those were allocated their first choice of school.

Dominic Boeck (Con, Aldermaston), West Berkshire’s executive member for children, young people and education, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve been able to maintain our high percentage of preferred secondary school allocations.
"The increased numbers placed considerable pressure on available school places, particularly in Newbury where growth has been significant.

"We know that moving up to secondary school is extremely challenging for both parents and children and always try very hard to offer as many children as possible their preferred school.

"With that in mind, our long term planning enabled us to provide support, so that some schools could increase capacity and ensure a high percentage of pupils can still be offered their first choice school.

“We wish everyone the best of luck with their move up to secondary education.”

A total of 1,695 West Berkshire children have today (Tuesday) received an offer of a first preference school, which the council said "is a marked increase over the previous two years".

The percentage of first choices remains just above 88 per cent, as it has done for the past three years.