One in five children miss out on their first choice of school

10.06.08am GMT Wed 3rd Mar 2010

David Ward, education spokesman for the Council's Liberal Democrat group

One in five primary school children transferring to secondary school in September have not been allocated their first choice school. 95% have been allocated a place from their three preferences and only 366 were not allocated to any of their preferred schools.

Cllr David Ward, education spokesman for the Council's Liberal Democrat group, said: "Efforts have been made to try to provide additional spaces. We have got the expansion of places under phase three of the Building Schools for Future programme in particular which should improve the figures in the future."

Cllr Ward said: "The percentage of parents who got one of their three choices is not bad going. Yes the appeals process is bound to be costly and still, I think, some people have this false assumption that they have a right rather than an expression of preference to a place.

What we need now is to ensure that the appeals panels are fully staffed and people are treated fairly."