More Blackpool pupils getting into first choice primary schools

The number of children getting a place at their first choice primary school in Blackpool has gone up.
Just one per cent of Blackpool pupils did not get into a preferred primary school.Just one per cent of Blackpool pupils did not get into a preferred primary school.
Just one per cent of Blackpool pupils did not get into a preferred primary school.

Just one in 20 pupils starting in September missed out on their top school, while 99 per cent got into one of their preferred three.

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It is a slight rise compared to last year, when 1,472 out of 1,558 pupils – 94.5 per cent – were given the good news.

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Coun Kathryn Benson, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for schools and learning, said: “We always strive to give people their first preference of primary school.

“If we are unable to meet specific requests because of demand or other factors we aim to provide a place in one of their three preferences. It’s always an exciting time as children take a new step in education.

All our schools in Blackpool work so hard to offer youngsters a good education and I know they will be looking forward to welcoming new faces. I wish this year’s intakes every success.”

In Blackpool, 63 pupils –3.8 per cent –got a second choice school, up from 3.2 per cent in 2017. Third choice allocations went down to seven –0.4 per cent, compared to 16 –1 per cent – last year.

Nobody was left without a school place.

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In the Lancashire County Council area, which covers Fylde and Wyre, 90.6 per cent will get their first preference.

A further 7.5 per cent will go to their second or third choice school and 1.9 per cent of children have been allocated places at other schools.

Coun Susie Charles, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said ‘careful planning’ meant just one in 50 pupils did not get into one of their top three.

“School places are allocated fairly and objectively and every application is agreed upon using the criteria which have been agreed for that school,” she added.