More than 1,000 children across the Isle of Wight have been offered places at local secondary schools this week – in the same week the Council is set to axe 5 primary schools.
Today (Monday) is National Offer Day when youngsters up and down the country learn which secondary school they will attend for the 2025/26 academic year.
On the Island, 96% of parents received an offer for their child at one of their preferred schools, matching the percentage from 2024.
The Isle of Wight Council received a total of 1,194 on-time applications. Of these, 1,063 (85%) were granted their first choice for September 2025, 118 (9%) their second choice, and 13 (1%) their third choice.
This is consistent with the previous year, where 85% received their first choice, 9% their second, and 3% their third.
Every on-time applicant was offered a place at a school. There are some families who applied late or did not make an application 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.
Article continues below this advertisement “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 2025.
