Majority of Derbyshire children receive place at preferred primary school

Derbyshire County Council made offers of primary, infant or junior school places to approximately 10,800 children on Friday, April 16.

Of those parents who applied for a reception place by the closing date, 98.2 per cent have been given a place for their child at one of their three preferred schools, with 94.6 per cent having their first choice preference met.

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And of those who applied for a junior place by the deadline, 96.6 per cent have been offered a place at one of their three preferred schools – 96.5 of which have had their first choice preference met.

Jane Parfrement, Executive Director for Children’s Services at Derbyshire County Council said: “Starting school is a big step for every child and I’m really pleased that so many families have been allocated a place at one of their three preferred schools.

“I’d like to thank everyone who applied within the deadline and I’d like to thank our school admissions and transport team for all their hard work processing all the applications.

“If you haven’t applied for your child’s primary school place yet then please get in contact with us as a matter of urgency using the details below.”

This year 99.9 per cent of parents in Derbyshire applied for their child’s primary school place online, with email notfications sent to those who provided an email address.

Parents whose children have not been offered a place at their preferred school do have the right to appeal the decision to an independent panel.

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Information on how to appeal is available online by visiting www.derbyshire.gov.uk/admissions.

Alternatively, parents can get information from the council’s school admissions and transport team by calling 01629 537479.

Derbyshire County Council said that anyone who hasn’t already made an application should do so urgently by using the late application facility at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/admissions or by contacting Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190 between 8am and 8pm on weekdays, or 9.30am and 4pm on a Saturday.

Paper application forms are also available from the council’s school admissions and transport team.

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