HAMPSHIRE County Council has again been able to offer nearly every parent a place for their child at their preferred choice secondary school.

Of the parents applying for a Year 7 place at a Hampshire secondary school in September, 98 per cent have been offered a school of their choice – with more children (more than 92 per cent) being allocated a place at their preferred first-choice school.

Keith Mans, the county council’s executive lead member for children’s services, said: “Yet again, we have been able to offer a very high number of pupils a place at their preferred secondary school. Considering the size of Hampshire and number of students to accommodate, this is a sizeable achievement.

“Thanks to our strong track record in planning for the future and our sustained investment in school expansions and new schools, we are ensuring that we can provide a school place for every child in Hampshire. I am pleased to say, we are keeping pace with the rising number of pupils.”

The county council received 13,981 on-time applications this year, up by 428 from last year.

Pupils who did not secure a place at one of their chosen schools have been allocated a place at a school near to where they live, with available spaces. Parents have the right to appeal in these situations and their child’s name will be added to the waiting list for their preferred schools. Places do become available if parents change their mind, or families move home.

Mr Mans, commented: “I understand there will be some disappointment for those parents who did not secure a place at one of their chosen schools, but every child whose parents applied for a place at a Hampshire secondary school, has been offered one. There are always individual schools with exceptionally high demand, which is a credit to the high standard of teaching at these schools.”

The admissions team is now busy processing primary school applications with offers due to go out to parents on April 16.