Record number of London children to miss out on first choice school

The number of children who will miss out on their first choice secondary school is set to hit a record high this year, according to a report from the Evening Standard.

Experts at the Good School Guide have predicted that 28,000 children in London starting secondary school in September will not get their top preference, adding to fears of a pupil place crisis in the capital.

The figure represents an increase of 1,000 pupils who will not get their first choice compared to 2015, and means children in London are the least likely in the country to get a place at their preferred school.

Susan Hamlyn, director of The Good Schools Guide’s Advice Service, said: “There needs to be a plan so that we have enough schools, enough places and enough teachers in every borough. A number of schools that were guaranteed to London for 2016 still haven’t opened their doors — some haven’t even found a site to build on.”

A London Councils spokeswoman said: “It is important to recognise that not all parents and pupils can be offered their first preference, because there is simply not an unlimited number of places in London’s schools.”