Over 96 per cent of children offered their first preference of primary school for September

It’s National Offer Day (Wednesday 16 April) and families across Barnsley are finding out which primary school their children will be joining in September.

This year, we were delighted to offer 2,381 children (96.3 per cent) a place at their first preference. The proportion of children being offered their first preference is the highest it’s been since 2021/22, reflecting our commitment to giving children the best start to their education.

Overall, we have been able to offer 2,453 children (99.2 per cent) a place at one of their preferred primary schools this year, with:

• 65 children (2.6 per cent) receiving an offer from their second choice.
• 7 children (0.3 per cent) receiving an offer from their third choice.

We’re committed to making sure no child or young person is left without a school offer in Barnsley. Our Admissions team has ensured that any child who did not get one of their preferences has been offered a place at the nearest available school ready for September.

Councillor Trevor Cave, Cabinet Spokesperson for Children’s Services, said: “With our Great Childhoods Ambition, we want all our young people to dream big, excel in their education and achieve their full potential. At the heart of a great childhood is a great education, so I’m delighted to see so many young people in our borough being offered a place at their first choice of primary school for September.

“This would not be possible without the great work of our Admissions team and primary schools, who make the process simple for families, with the right information to make informed choices about their children’s education. I would like to thank them for helping so many families receive one of their preferences and making sure no child is left without a school place.”

This year, the proportion of parents applying online continued to rise, now sitting at 98.5 per cent, with our Virtual Family Hubs website making the process easy for families.

Available all year round, this webpage offers a wide range of information to help parents and carers, including childcare, local activities and fun things to do.

We know that some children and families may have received disappointing news today, and we’re here to help you understand what to do next.

Our Admissions team are here to support any parents or carers who may wish to appeal their offer with the right advice and guidance about the process. You can get in touch with the team by calling 01226 773677 or emailing admissions@barnsley.gov.uk.