MOST children in the BCP area have been offered a place at their top choice primary school – while some have missed out on their preferred choices entirely.

Figures released on Monday, April 17, show 99.2 per cent of families living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have been offered a place in reception at one of their preferred schools in the area – with more than 93 per cent receiving their first choice.

98.4 per cent, meanwhile, have been offered a place in year three (junior school) at one of their preferred schools. Of those, 94.9 per cent received their first choice.

A total of 3,459 applications were received by the local authority for children starting in reception this September, while 1,301 were for a junior school place.

All parents who applied online by the closing date of January 15 will be able to log on to view the result of their application. Letters will also be sent to all parents who applied by the closing date.

Bournemouth Echo: Bournemouth Town Hall.Bournemouth Town Hall. (Image: Echo)

While the overwhelming majority of children were approved their first, second, third or fourth preferences, 27 (0.8 per cent) children going into reception were not offered any and were redirected to another school.

The same happened to 20 (1.6 per cent) children entering year three in September. Despite this percentage, no offers were given by the council for any fourth choice preferences for this year group.

Cathi Hadley, corporate director for children’s services at BCP Council, said: “We are pleased that we have been able to offer a high percentage of families one of their preferred schools for their children to attend from September.”

Breakdown: Reception

  • First preference offered: 93.6%
  • Second preference offered: 4.7%
  • Third preference offered: 0.8%
  • Fourth preference offered: 0.1%             
  • Total applicants receiving one of their preferences: 99.2 per cent
  • Redirected to another school: 0.8%
  • Total applications: 3,459

Junior (Y3)

  • First preference offered: 94.9%
  • Second preference offered: 3.2%
  • Third preference offered: 0.3%
  • Fourth preference offered: 0.0%
  • Total applicants receiving one of their preferences: 98.4%
  • Redirected to another school: 1.6%
  • Total applications: 1,301

This comes a week after it was found that 25 schools within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area were at or over capacity in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, according to figures by the Department for Education.

Of them, 18 were primary schools.

Families living in the area who would like to talk to someone about school vacancies and the options available to them can contact BCP Council staff on 01202 123222 or 01202 127963.