SOUTHEND Council has released the data on secondary school allocations as 84 per cent of children receive a place at their first choice school.
On Wednesday, children across the country received offers for secondary school place this year.
Figures revealed 98 per cent of year six children in Southend will be starting secondary school in September 2023 at one of their top three choices of school.
READ MORE >> Southend Airport owner 'to explore' sale of site as it searches for 'right buyer'
Out of 2,146 applications, 84 per cent received a place at their first choice of secondary school.
Only 184 pupils, 8.57 per cent, were offered their second preference instead.
Laurie Burton, Labour councillor responsible for children and learning, said: “I am very pleased that 84 per cent of applicants received offers for their first preference and 98 per cent have one of their top three.
“We make every effort to ensure that young people of secondary school age who have applied are offered a place.
“Whilst the majority of pupils have got their preferred school place, I am conscious that there are a small number of disappointed families who did not receive any of their top three choices, and I would like to encourage those families to communicate any concerns they may have with the school admission officers.
“The council remains committed to supporting and continually improving all of our schools across the city, which will help to ensure that there are sufficient places offering good quality and choice to local parents and carers.”
Parents can put between three and six preferences down for a state school of choice, with the exact number varying between local authorities.
Schools are ranked by order of preference, with pupils allocated to the highest school on the list for which they meet the eligibility criteria.
Also revealed in the data was that only 1.86 per cent of pupils were offered a place that was not on their application form.
Back in 2022, 84.97 per cent of pupils were offered their first preference, which compares to just 67.45 per cent the year prior in 2021.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here