90 per cent of Rotherham pupils secure first choice schools

The figure of 90 per cent was down from 93 per cent in 2022 but 96 per cent of the 3,500 youngsters moving to secondary school will be attending one of their top three choices.

Nationally, the figure for first choices is 83.3 per cent for 2023.

Cllr Victoria Cusworth, Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Our success doesn’t happen by accident.

“It is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work by our school place planners, who closely monitor the latest population statistics and demand.

“And our excellent working relationship with school and academy leaders across the borough has helped to ensure we have the right school places in the right locations at the right time.”

Parents or carers unhappy with the allocation for their child can appeal via an independent panel.