MORE than 300 children across the BCP Council area have not got their first choice school reception place, although 91.5 per cent of all those applying have.

BCP Council says every parent across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole who applied by the national deadline has been offered a reception place for their child in September – with 98 per cent of families offered a place at one of their four preferred schools.

All parents who applied online have been able to log on from 10am, Friday, April 16, to view the result of their application.

Letters will be sent to all parents who applied by the closing date of January 15.

Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole there are sufficient school places for all local children for September 2020, BCP says.

Some 3,770 reception applications were made, along with 1,243 junior (Year 3) and 214 middle (Year 5).

Elaine Redding, corporate director for children’s services at BCP Council, said: "We are pleased that we have been able to offer such a high percentage of families one of their preferred schools for their children to attend from September, with over 91 per cent being offered their first choice for reception, over 95 per cent receiving their first choice junior school and 98 per cent getting their first choice middle school.”

Reception places:

  • first preference offered: 91.5 per cent
  • second preference offered: 5.1 per cent
  • third preference offered: 1.4 per cent
  • fourth preference offered: 0.3 per cent
  • total applicants receiving one of their preferences: 98.3 per cent

Junior (Year 3) places:

  • first preference offered: 95.6 per cent
  • second preference offered: 3 per cent
  • third preference offered: 0.3 per cent
  • fourth preference offered: nil
  • total applicants receiving one of their preferences: 98.9 per cent

Middle (Year 5) places:

  • first preference offered: 98 per cent
  • second preference offered: 1 per cent
  • third preference offered: 0.5 per cent 
  • fourth preference offered: nil
  • total applicants receiving one of their preferences: 99.5 per cent

A BCP spokesman said: "This data is for all applicants who applied by the national closing date of January 15, 2021.

"If families living in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole would like to talk to someone about school vacancies and the options available to them they can contact the following numbers: 01202 123222 and 01202 127963."