500 miss out on first choice school place

The total number of applications for reception places at local primaries was 5465, and 4959 were successful in getting their number one choice – a 91 per cent success rate.

That is a one per cent improvement on last year, and 2013 was slightly better than 2012, when 89.1 per cent were awarded places at their preferred school. According to Kirklees Council, there are 185 children who will not be starting school at any of their top three preferences

The most oversubscribed school in North Kirklees was Roberttown Junior and Infant School.

Kirklees Council has strict limits on class numbers. Infant school classes with one teacher may not have more than 30 pupils.

Parents can now submit their appeals to each school’s individual admission authority. In 2012, more than one in four appeals was successful. June 2 is the deadline for requesting an appeal form for community and voluntary controlled schools. Voluntary aided, free and trust schools may have different closing dates and must be contacted directly.