Islington demonstrates success of new London-wide admissions system
The new London-wide secondary school admissions process has resulted in far
fewer children – a reduction of 40% - being left without offers, according to
statistics issued by the Association of London Chief Education Officers. The
scheme has worked particularly well in Islington, with admissions running more
smoothly than previous years.
In Islington, 74% of parents received their first preference of secondary
school, and 95% of Islington children of secondary school age have been
offered a school place. There are currently only 70 Islington children out of
a total of 1,699 who have not received an offer from a school in their list of
6 preferred schools, and there are places available in Islington schools for
all of these children.
Glenda Hardy, Principal Admissions Officer for CEA@Islington said:
“The children who are unplaced are mostly those which have applied to
selective schools, often at some distance away from Islington, and have not
been successful in gaining entry. Often the parents have only named one
school, rather than completing the six options offered. We could make
arrangements to place these children within an Islington secondary school, but
our policy is to allow parents to make a decision about the best option for
their child, rather than forcing their hand by offering them a school place
that they may not want.”
Cllr James Kempton, executive member for children said:
"Not only do more children than last year have a place in an Islington school,
more have their first choice which shows that the system is working. Those who
haven't got place are parents who choose a school out of the borough.
Islington's secondary schools have a great deal to offer, exam results are up
and there are opportunities for out of hours learning. Choosing a secondary
school is an important decision, by making the choices early we can now offer
most local children a place at a school of their choice."
The CEA@Islington booklet for parents called ‘Your First Choice, Islington
Secondary Schools’, which includes a detailed guide to the new scheme and
information about the nine secondary schools in Islington is available from
the School Admissions Section, CEA@Islington, t: 020 7527 5517.
Every year CEA@Islington organise an Islington Secondary Schools exhibition
for parents and carers at the Islington Business Design Centre on Upper
Street, N1. This year’s exhibition will be on 12 – 13 September. This free
event enables parents to meet headteachers, teachers and current students from
each of the nine secondary schools in Islington. The event runs from 5 pm – 7
pm each day and is particularly aimed at parents of children born between 1
September 1994 and 31 August 1995.
For more information contact:
Louise Trewavas, Head of Communications CEA@Islington
T: 020 7527 5826
E:
louise.trewavas.cea@islington.gov.uk
Notes
1. All 33 authorities in London and eight councils bordering London
co-ordinated admissions to their schools for the first time this year. The
eight councils that border London taking part in the scheme are:
Hertfordshire, Essex, Surrey, Kent, Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough,
Buckinghamshire and Thurrock.
2. All Islington parents and carers are able to apply for up to six schools
from any participating LEA listing them in order of preference.
3. The Association of London Chief Education Officers is chaired by Ian
Birnbaum (London Borough of Sutton) and is contactable on 0208 770 6500.
For more information, please contact CEA@Islington's Communications Department: