North Yorkshire continues to uphold its reputation for excellence in education as more than 90 per cent of parents and carers in the region successfully secured their preferred secondary school for their children, according to the latest data released by North Yorkshire Council.
Out of a total of 6,130 pupils transitioning to secondary school this year, an impressive 90.11 per cent received their first preference. Furthermore, 95.82 per cent of families received an offer from North Yorkshire Council for one of their top three preferences of secondary school, reinforcing the county’s commitment to providing quality education for its youth.
Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning, and skills, expressed her satisfaction with the increasing number of young people being allocated their first preference secondary school. She highlighted the council’s ongoing efforts to ensure that secondary schools have the capacity to accommodate the growing demand for places, underscoring North Yorkshire’s dedication to offering every child the best start in life.
Comparatively, North Yorkshire’s success surpasses the national average, with 82.6 per cent of applicants across the UK receiving an offer of their first choice school—a slight decrease from the previous year’s figure of 83.3 per cent in 2022.
Parents of Year 6 children in North Yorkshire have the opportunity to preference up to five schools on their common application form. This year, the majority of parents maximized this opportunity, reflecting a proactive approach towards securing the best educational options for their children.
Looking ahead, parents and carers of Year 5 children, slated to begin secondary school in September 2025, are encouraged to apply from September 12, 2024. They will have the opportunity to list five school preferences on the application form, ensuring ample consideration of available options.
For those seeking additional information, North Yorkshire Council provides comprehensive details on school admissions through their website at North Yorkshire Council – Education and Learning.
