Secondary school offers day in Richmond upon Thames
2 March 2023
87% percent of in-borough applicants have been offered a place at one of their first three preferred secondary schools.
Yesterday (Wednesday 1 March 2023), Richmond Council made the initial allocation of Year 7 offers for this September. This year, the parents and carers of 2,086 children applied for a place – compared with 2,173 last year.
Cllr Penny Frost, Chair of the Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee, said:
"Our schools are deservedly popular owing to the fact that they offer excellent, inclusive education for local children. The number of unplaced children is a reminder of the need to ensure that there are enough permanent school places in the borough.
"The long-anticipated six-form entry secondary school in Mortlake, the Livingstone Academy, would, subject to planning permission, open later this decade and give greater long-term certainty for parents in the east of the borough. In the meantime, I am very grateful to schools for enabling additional places to be offered."
68% of applicants have been offered a place at their first preference secondary school, compared to last year's figure of 64%. In addition, 87% have been offered one of their top three preferences compared to last year's figure of 85%, and 93% have received one of their preferences, compared with 92% in 2022.
Currently there are 68 children without an offer of a secondary school place, compared with 72 at this time last year.
Cllr Frost added:
"I know that this will be an anxious time for those children and their families who are yet to receive an offer. Parents and carers are advised to read carefully the notes which explain what to do next. We know from experience that sufficient places will become available to be re-offered to those on the waiting lists from Thursday 30 March onwards."
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Up to: March 2023
Updated: 2 March 2023
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