Number of first-choice school places in Devon up

But around 130 children don't get any top three offer

Most children who are due to move up to secondary school this September in the Devon County Council area have got the place they want.

The council says 93.5 per cent of families have their first choice, with a further 4.1 per cent getting their second preference, and 0.5 per cent their third.

It means around 550 children aren't going to their preferred school, and about 130 haven't got into any of their first three choices.

The proportion of first choice places has rise by about two percentage points on last year.

The figures include pupils with Education Health and Care Plans who have been allocated mainstream school places in Devon. These children have all been prioritised for placement in a mainstream school in accordance with the department for education school admissions code.

Devon’s cabinet member for schools, Andrew Leadbetter, said: “When the national statistics are released, it’s likely that Devon will, once again, have one of the best figures for meeting school preferences.

“It is a testament to the hard work of our admissions and school organisation teams and the partnership and co-operation we have received from the heads, staff and governors of Devon’s secondary schools that more than nine out of 10 families have received their first preference and the number is up on last year.

“These are obviously early statistics and are quite likely to improve even more before September as appeals are heard and other factors are taken into account, such as parents not taking up places they have been offered.”