National Offer Day: Nine in ten Southampton children heading to their preferred secondary school choices for the second year running

Today thousands of young people in the city are finding out which secondary school they will be attending in September and its welcome news for many with nine in ten heading to their preferred choices

01/03/2022

Today thousands of young people in the city are finding out which secondary school they will be attending in September and its welcome news for many with nine in ten heading to their preferred choices.

A total of 2,762 on time applications for a secondary school place were made, with 2,570 of those successfully granted one of their preferences. Of those 82.7% percent gained a place at their first-choice school, 7.7% gained their second preference school and 2.6% were allocated a place at their third preference.

The proportion of pupils who have received a place at their first-choice school has increased by 3% compared to last year’s 79.7%. Despite a 3% increase in total applications this year’s 93% place offering is the same as last year.

Councillor James Baillie, Cabinet Member for Education at Southampton City Council said: “We know starting secondary school is an important milestone for young people and it can be an anxious time for them and their families. We did see an anticipated increase in applications, and despite this it’s great to see 93% were offered a place at one of their preferred schools. I hope this will alleviate some of the anxiety of moving on to the next step in their education and enable the young people and their families to focus on the excitement of moving on to secondary school this September.

“Our schools will soon be in touch with their new pupils to share information and arrange visits, so everyone is well prepared for their September start.”

Any young person who was not allocated their first preference will be able to appeal, details of how to do this will be sent to parents and carers within their outcome letter or e mail.

More information on offered places can be found here.