ASCL: Drop in first choices shows pressure on secondary places

Responding to DfE statistics which show a drop in the percentage of parents getting their first-choice preference for secondary schools, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“The drop in first-choice offers shows the pressure building on secondary school places, and this will intensify in the future as the number of secondary pupils is projected to increase by more than 500,000 over the next seven years. 

“It is of paramount importance that the government ensures sufficient numbers of good school places are provided to meet local needs. This is particularly challenging in a complex and fragmented system. 

“The government has to work closely with local authorities and existing groups of schools to ensure that children are able to access places in good local schools and that no money is wasted on places which do not meet demographic needs.”