Vast majority of Northumberland children get first-choice school

Northumberland County Council has processed 4,957 applications for places at middle and high schools across the county and 98 per cent of parents got their first preference this year, an increase of two percent over last year’s 96 per cent.

Coun Robert Arckless, cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council, said: "This is a great figure and I am so pleased that the vast majority of children in the county will be going to their first choice of secondary school. Children are our future and we want their years at school to be enjoyable.

"A good education gives every young person the foundation for achieving to the best of their potential and we want them to be happy in an environment they feel safe in. The council wants to see every child given the greatest possible chance by providing the very best opportunities in education across Northumberland."

Applications for secondary school places opened on September 7 and closed on October 31 last year. Parents have until Wednesday, March 16, to accept places for secondary schools.

Parents who have applied for first or primary school places in September 2016 will be advised of their child’s school place on Friday, April 15, and have until Saturday, April 30, to accept the place.