More than 91% of Wigan children accepted into first choice school

Figures released today by Wigan Council show that 3,823 households submitted applications during the latest round of school admissions - up slightly from 3,810 applications in 2020, and higher than the 3,764 submissions in 2019. This year, 4,063 places were up for grabs at the borough’s schools.

Just under 98 per cent of this year’s applications were made online, which was not surprising given the circumstances of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Out of those, 3,515 children were granted their first choice of school from September, which was 91.9 per cent of all applying families.

166 children will be taking up a place at their second choice (4.3 per cent) while 50 were admitted to their third school of preference, which was just 1.3 per cent of all applications.

Overall, 97.6 per cent of applying households were given a place at one of their three preferences.

There were 92 children who did not receive a place at any of their top three options, and have been offered a place an alternative school.

No children who applied missed out on a place at any of the borough’s schools.

The percentage of first choice parental preferences met fairs well compared to previous years.

Last year, 90.5 per cent of pupils got their first choice school, while 89.5 per cent did so in 2019.

A spokesperson for Wigan Council said: “This year has once again seen more applications coming through the system but the team has managed to ensure 97.6% of applicants received a preferred choice.

“Some 92 children were not offered a place at one of their preferred schools.

“These children will all receive a reasonable offer of a place at an alternative Wigan school.”

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