Cornwall Achieves High Success Rate in Secondary School Placements

Over 95% of children applying for secondary school places have been allocated their first preference for the academic year starting September 2024. Cornwall Council, which processed 5,987 applications, successfully offered 5,730 students their top choice, marking a 95.71% success rate. This figure not only surpasses last year’s achievement of 93.71% but also the national average of 82.6%.

The council’s efforts ensured that virtually all applicants (99.23%) secured a place at one of their top three preferred schools, an improvement from 97.55% in the previous year. The increase in successful placements reflects the diligent work by the council and local schools to accommodate the preferences of families across Cornwall.

Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Cornwall Council, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, acknowledging the stress associated with National Offer Day for families. She praised the dedication of the council’s teams and school administrators for their role in achieving these results. Ellenbroek also noted the presence of an independent appeals process for those few who did not receive their preferred allocation, directing families to seek further information on the council’s website.

This year’s success story in Cornwall highlights the council’s commitment to meeting the educational preferences of its residents, ensuring that the start of the secondary school journey is as seamless as possible for students and their families.