MORE than 94 per cent of pupils have been offered their first choice secondary school for this September, figures released today by Cumbria County Council (CCC) confirm.

Figures show that out of 4,980 applicants 4,696 students were offered a place at their first preference school.

A CCC spokesperson said parents and carers who have not been offered places for their children at their first preference school were being provided with information about how to lodge an appeal.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Councillor Sue Sanderson, CCC's Cabinet Member for schools and learning, said: “It’s fantastic news that the vast majority of pupils have secured a place at their first choice secondary school.

"Young people in Cumbria are more likely to get a place at the secondary they want than most other places in the country. That will be a great comfort to the majority of parents and carers in the county and I wish pupils and their families all the very best for their new school."

Meanwhile nearly 96 per cent of pupils in Lancashire have been offered their preferred schools. 

Figures for secondary school admissions showed that 83.6 per cent got their first preference, 8.7 per cent would go to schools which were their second, while 3.0 per cent would attend their third preference school. 4.7% per cent have been allocated a place at other schools.

County Councillor Susie Charles, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, said: "Waiting to find out which secondary school you've been allocated can be an anxious time, for both parents and children. I have first-hand experience of this, so I know exactly how parents feel at this time.

"School places are allocated fairly and objectively, and every application is agreed upon using the criteria which have been agreed for that school."