MillionPramMiles Here are the other answers.
(4) Primary School Places: Question asked by Councillor Belton of the Leader of the Council –
(a) How many parents in Wandsworth, by ward, have managed to get their first, second and third choices in this year’s primary school entries?
[see table in image above]
(b) How many children will have to travel more than one mile to their primary school next year?
This information will be provided in a written response as soon as possible.
(c) How many complaints has the Council had from parents about primary school places, by ward, since the new allocations were announced?
Ten written representations have been received by the Council’s Pupil Services Section complaining about the school offered or other aspects of the process. Seven of these were received from residents of the Earlsfield Ward and one each from residents from the Thamesfield, Northcote and Southfields wards. Out of more than 3,200 total applications, this is clearly a very small proportion and recognises the success of the pan-London co-ordinated admissions system and the Council’s actions to increase the number of places available by nearly 20% over the last four years. Nevertheless, I do appreciate that this is an anxious time for parents.
The Earlsfield issue has arisen because of a huge rise in demand for school places in this part of the Borough, with Earlsfield primary school receiving 334 applications for 60 places. The Council has already provided 120 extra places this year in the surrounding area and next year, will provide 90 more when the new primary academy opens on the Athledene site and we expand another very popular and high achieving local primary school. In the meantime, officers are working with local headteachers to identify additional places for this year and will begin to make further offers in the week beginning 12th May.
(d) How many parents are appealing against the outcome of applications?
As at 6th May 2014, the Council’s Education Appeals Service has received 46 appeals in respect of 38 children, with some parents appealing for places at more than one of their primary school choices. Parents have until 20th May 2014 to appeal against the admission decisions relating to Reception class places for September 2014.
As it is not possible to offer everybody their first preference school, unsuccessful applicants are included on waiting lists for their preferred schools as well as the parents having the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. Although a place cannot be made available at the present time, the position will change over the coming weeks and months as some parents decide not to accept the offers they have received. Any places that become available are offered from the waiting list strictly in accordance with the school’s published admission criteria.
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