A total of 6,635 children across Gloucestershire who applied on time for a secondary school place have been allocated a school for September 2026, with 83 per cent receiving an offer from their first preference.
On Monday, Gloucestershire County Council will confirm school placements for pupils due to start secondary school this September. Every parent and carer in the county will receive one offer of a school place on the same day.
Figures released by the council show that not only did 83 per cent of applicants secure their first-choice school, but 93 per cent were offered a place at one of their preferred schools.
Parents and carers who applied online — accounting for 99 per cent of applicants — will receive an email confirmation after 9am on Monday, 2 March. They will be able to log in and accept their child’s place online. Those who submitted paper applications will receive a letter the same day detailing the school offered and the reasons behind the decision, tailored specifically to their child.
Parents have until 16 March to accept the place offered or request an alternative school.
Councillor Linda Cohen, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Going on to secondary school is a big step for our young people, and I wish them well for their next stage of their journey. I’m delighted that we have been able to offer so many pupils a school of their choice for September.”
Families who wish to have their child’s school place reconsidered will be placed on a waiting list for their preferred schools. Should places become available, they will be allocated in accordance with each school’s admissions policy.
However, council officials are advising parents who are unhappy with their initial offer to accept the allocated place while awaiting the outcome of any reconsideration. This ensures that every child will have a confirmed school place for September, regardless of the appeals process.
Based on previous years, the council expects additional places to become available in the coming months as some families change their preferences.
Parents requesting reconsideration will receive the outcome after 6 April and must respond by 2 April. Those who remain dissatisfied following reconsideration will be informed about the formal appeals procedure.
Full details of admissions criteria and waiting list arrangements for every school are available on the Gloucestershire County Council website. Parents can also watch an informational video explaining the process online.
Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk
Original post on the Gloucestershire News Centre website
Gloucestershire News Centre