Record secondary school admissions posted in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Council received 3,502 applications by the October 31 deadline (compared to 3,392 in 2017) with 94 per cent gaining one of their top four preference schools.

Councillor Zoe Nolan, cabinet member for children and families said: “Yet again, despite our growing population in Milton Keynes with more children and young people than ever attending our schools, every child has been offered a school place.

“It’s simply not the case in every part of the country, and it’s testament not just to our sound school place planning system but to our investment in building or expanding schools to meet demand.”

Of the applications received on time, just under four out of five of pupils received their first preference school. 8.1 per cent of pupils received their second preference, 3.4 per cent received their third preference school and 3.4 per cent were allocated their fourth preference school.

In 2017, 96.8 per of MK pupils were allocated one of their top four preference schools.

The council claims the slight decrease is due to more parents and carers expressing preferences for highly in-demand schools without choosing a backup option, despite MKC giving advice to use all four preferences.

A small number of late applications were received which will be processed during April. Parents who still need to make an application should complete a late application form which is available on the council’s website at www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/schooladmissions. There are currently 228 school places still available within the borough.