More than 1,000 children across the Island have been offered places at secondary schools this week. Friday (1st March) is National Offer Day when youngsters up and down the country learn which secondary school they will attend for the 2024/25 academic year. On the Island, 96% of parents have been offered a place for their child at one of their preferred schools. This compares to 94% in 2023. In total, the Isle of Wight Council received 1,211 applications on time. Of those, 1,030 (85%) received their 1st choice for September 2024, 114 (9%) their 2nd choice and 22 (3%) their 3rd choice. This compares to 80%, 11% and 3%, respectively, in 2023. Every on-time applicant was offered a place at a school. Some families applied late and are not included in the figures. Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills, said:
“I am delighted to see that nearly all of the applicants got a place at one of their preferred schools, with most getting their first choice and everyone being offered a place. “We strive to make the application process as easy as possible in cooperation with our Island schools, while accommodating families’ choices in the majority of cases. “I appreciate how tough the transition can be from primary to secondary and how crucial pupil choice is in both preserving existing friendships and local, community links.”
Parents who have applied for a primary school place for their child will be notified on 16th April 2024.
