93% get their first choice school

Hundreds of children across the Rochdale borough found out this week which secondary school they’ll be going to in September.

This year more than 93% have been allocated their first choice of school - a 2% increase on last year.

Rochdale Borough Council has to co-ordinate all the preferences for children living in the borough and over 2,500 admission letters were put in the post on 1 March.

Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families at Rochdale Borough Council said:“We’re pleased that more parents are getting their first preference but for the few who don’t then there’s an appeals process.

“Staff are now working on the September admissions for reception classes in primary schools and those letters will be sent on 19 March.

“Starting a new school is an important and exciting step in a child’s life and it’s good that we can let people know where they’ll be going early in the year.”