HAMPSHIRE County Council has once again been able to offer a high percentage of parents a place for their child at a secondary school of their choice.

Ninety-eight per cent of parents applying for a year seven place have been offered a place at a secondary school of their choice, with 94 per cent getting a place at their first preference school.

Peter Edgar (pictured), the county council’s executive member for education, said: “We have again been able to offer a high number of pupils a place at their preferred secondary school. That’s a significant achievement considering the size of the county and increasing demand for school places. We received 13,515 on-time applications this year, up by more than 500 from last year.

“Pupil numbers continue to rise, and I am pleased to say that our investment in schools to provide the additional places is keeping pace, thanks to our strong track record in planning for the future.

?“I understand there will be some disappointment for those parents who did not secure a place at one of their chosen schools, but every child whose parents applied for a place at a Hampshire secondary school has been offered one. There are always individual schools with exceptionally high demand, which is a credit to the high standard of teaching at these schools.”

Pupils who did not secure a place at one of their chosen schools will be allocated a place at a school close to where they live which has available spaces. Parents have the right to appeal in these situations and can put their child’s name down on their preferred school’s waiting list. Places can become available if parents change their mind or families move home.

The admissions team is now processing primary school applications, with offers due to go out to parents on April 18.