First-choice school for 92pc of pupils

MOST children in Oldham will start at their first-choice primary school in September.

Only around 250 of the 3,085 families applying for places missed out on their top choice.

A total of 92 per cent of youngsters will attend the school their parents wanted.

However, 184 children will start at their second choice school and 54 at their third choice. Only 14 have been left with places at their fourth, fifth or sixth choice.

An Oldham Council spokesman said: “Oldham Council can confirm 92 per cent of the 3,083 pupils who applied for primary school places in the borough were allocated their first choice school.

“This good result has been achieved by the local authority working in close partnership with colleagues in nursery and pre-schools to ensure that parents understood the application process.

“We have also kept the number of school places available across all areas of the borough under constant review to ensure that there are sufficient places available for all the children who might need them.

“Information and advice has also been readily available to parents either direct from the admissions team or via the Oldham Council website.”