SURREY offered five-out-of-six applicants their first preference secondary school after demand for places reached a record high.

Around 83.7 per cent were given the school they put first on their list, down from 84.5 per cent last year, and 93.9 per cent were offered one of their top three preferred schools, also down from 94.6 per cent the previous year.

The number applying for secondary school places this September rose by 206 to 11,338 – enough to fill almost seven extra classes. All pupils who needed a place got one.

Linda Kemeny, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for schools, skills and educational achievement, said: “In a year when we processed a record number of secondary school applications, we’re pleased we were able to offer five-out-of-six pupils the school they wanted.

“Demand is rising steadily for secondary places following an increase in primary numbers but despite this pressure we’ve offered 94 per cent of pupils one of their top three choices and all who needed a place have been given one.

“We need an extra 11,000 places across the primary and secondary school system over the next five years, but face huge financial challenges keeping pace with growing demand which is why we’re continuing to highlight the need for a fair deal on funding.”

At Haslemere’s Woolmer Hill School, 72 applicants were awarded their first preference, 11 as second and eight as third choice. Rodborough Technology College, in Milford, recorded 172 first preference awards, down from 181 the previous year, nine seconds and two thirds.

The Good Schools Guide, the UK’s leading independent source of information on schools, had predicted more than 90,000 children in England would miss out on their first choice school on ‘national offers day’, on March 1.

Guide director Bernadette John said: “We speak to parents every year who are disappointed and angry with the school offers their children have received. Families are complicated and there can be many reasons why a school is not a good fit for a child. It is not always ambitious parents eager for places at the most academic school.

“Challenging the decision can work but parents have to build a compelling case and provide documented grounds.

“Across the country we see about a 20 per cent success rate when parents do decide to appeal.”

For parents disappointed with their school offer but uncertain what to do next, the GSG recommends:

• Appeal to any schools on the original application.

• Accept the place offered. If you don’t you run the risk of your child having no school to go to in September.

• After accepting the place, get on waiting lists for other preferred schools – even ones not on the initial application.

• Check out the school’s most recent Ofsted report and last year’s public exam results.