Secondary school places in Gloucestershire

21st February 2012, 12:55

Comments

The wait for news of secondary school places is almost over for pupils and parents in Gloucestershire.

On Thursday, March 1st, parents of pupils transferring to secondary school in September 2012 will receive an allocation letter from Gloucestershire County Council.

All parents throughout the country will be offered one school place on the same day, they have until 14th March to return their reply form.

Every letter will be specific for each pupil and will contain an explanation for the decision made.  Further clarification about general issues can be found on the county council's website

Charlotte Jones, Senior Admissions Manager, said; "This is always an anxious time for pupils and parents but our Admissions and Transfer Team have worked very hard to ensure that as many pupils as possible get one of their preferred schools.

''This year, at this stage, 98% of pupils have received a place at one of their preferred schools, and 89% have been offered their first preference. This has been a huge exercise with 6447 pupils having been allocated a secondary school within Gloucestershire or our neighbouring counties.

"Our online application process continues to increase in popularity with parents. This year, a record number of applications (87%) were made online. Parents who have applied online will be emailed the outcome on 1st March so they do not have to wait for the post.''

Parents are encouraged to complete and return their reply forms as soon as possible. The deadline for replies is 14th March. If parents ask for their child's allocation to be reconsidered, they will be placed on the waiting list for their preferred school(s). If places then become available, they will be allocated in strict accordance with the published admissions criteria for the school.

The admission criteria and more information about waiting lists for every school in Gloucestershire is available on the council's website or within booklets that are available at all schools, children’s centres and libraries.  

Individual copies of the booklets are available.  For details please contact the Admissions & Transfer Team on 01452 425407.

Any parents who are not happy with the place they have been allocated are advised to keep it while they await the outcome of any reconsideration to ensure that their child will have a place at a school in September.

The Admissions & Transfer Team will write to parents with the result of the reconsideration after April 2nd, 2012.  Parents who are still not satisfied with their allocated school will be advised of the appeals procedure.