More than 90% of Sheffield children allocated their first preference secondary school

More than 90 per cent of Sheffield children have been allocated their first preference secondary school for September 2024.

Parents and families across Sheffield today learned which secondary school their children have been allocated as they proceed into Year 7.

Overall, 97.84 per cent of pupils were allocated one of their three preferences, an increase on 2023.

The following outcomes are reported for Sheffield Local Authority based on the position at the national allocation date of 1 March 2024

• First Preferences met 90.43% (6077)
• Second Preferences met 5.83% (392)
• Third preferences met 1.58% (106)
• No preferences met 2.16% (145)

Cllr Dawn Dale, Chair of the Education, Children and Families Committee, said:

“It is fantastic to see the majority of children in Sheffield have been allocated their first preference school on national allocation day. I hope they are happy with their news and are looking forward to heading on to their new secondary school.

“We know how important this allocation process is to families and, despite most pupils getting their first preference, inevitability there will be others who may be disappointed today. I wish to reassure families that national allocation day is just the start of this process and we will be working with families as much as we can to find them a place which is suitable for them and their children.
“I hope all the children enjoy their last few months in primary school and wish them the best of luck for their move into Year 7.”

Appeals

Parents of pupils refused admission to any of their preferred schools have the right to appeal against the refusal to an independent appeal panel. Further information will be sent to parents about the appeal procedure. Appeals will be held between May and July.

The Local Authority holds waiting lists for pupils refused admission to a school that they ranked higher than that which was allocated. Parents should be aware there is no guarantee of obtaining a school place from the waiting list but to bear in mind that there is always movement between March and September.

The waiting list will come into operation from 1 March and will be maintained until 31 December 2024.

Help and Advice

The Admissions Team is available to provide advice and guidance about how to appeal, waiting list positions and other schools with places available.

The Admissions Team can be contacted on ed-admissions@sheffield.gov.uk to find out which other schools have places available and make any request to change their preferences.

Alternatively further information is available on the Sheffield City Council school places site here: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/schools-childcare/apply-school-place