Popular school a £22m hit

Year Six children have found out their fate ahead of starting secondary school, with the vast majority getting their first choice school.
Pictures Martin Bostock
Highfield Humanities College unveils its new multi-million pound buildings.Pictures Martin Bostock
Highfield Humanities College unveils its new multi-million pound buildings.
Pictures Martin Bostock Highfield Humanities College unveils its new multi-million pound buildings.

Pupils in Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde found out which school they will be going to this week, with 89 per cent getting their first or second choice school.

In Blackpool 89 per cent of the 1,190 who applied got their first prefence while numbers applying was down compared to last year.

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Coun Ivan Taylor, cabinet member for education for Blackpool Council, said: “I’m glad to say that nine tenths of children get their first preference.

“Recently renovated schools such as St Mary’s and Highfield, as well as St George’s, have proved extremely popular.

“Regardless of which school a child has been allocated, we are determined to make sure they receive the best possible education and I’m sure they will all enjoy their new school, making friends and learning.”

Most popular for prospective pupils in the resort was Highfield Humanities College, with more youngsters applying to go to the newly redeveloped £22m school on Highfield Road, South Shore, than anywhere else.

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Headteacher Ian Evans said: “Quite clearly we’re delighted that this reflects the confidence parents have in the school and delighted the work we’re doing is attractive to families in our area.

“While the new building is an attractive place it’s what we do inside the building that matters.

“It’s a humbling thing. We strive to have a school where pupils are learning and succeeding and are enjoying being there and that message is getting across to our community.”

184 children from Blackpool were allocated places at schools in Wyre and Fylde, run by Lancashire County Council.

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In Fylde and Wyre too the vast majority of children have been placed in their preferred school, with 89 per cent also getting their first choice place and 96 per cent getting their first or second choice.

In Lancashire this was despite a rise of more than 1,000 applicants since last year.

County Coun Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for schools, said: “This can be a nail-biting time of year for parents and children as they wait to hear which secondary school they’ve been allocated.

“It heartens me to know that more than 95 per cent will be getting one of their three preferences.”