London’s secondary schools are following primaries in being hit by an outflow of families from the capital, with 4,000 fewer children applying to start in September.
Admissions figures released on national offer day in England also show that 70% of families in London received their first choice of school, compared with more than 80% nationally.
The fall in applications for year 7 places mirrors a decline in the numbers of children entering reception classes, which the umbrella group London Councils has attributed to a declining birthrate along with changing patterns of migration, family location and the effects of Brexit.
While London’s 32 boroughs collectively saw a 2.5% fall in secondary school applications compared with last year, to 90,300, other major local authorities in England said applications were little changed or slightly higher than in 2023.
Birmingham council had 14,787 applications for year 7 places, up from 14,449 in 2023, and 71.5% got their first preference.
Essex received its highest ever number of applications, 17,039, slightly higher than in 2023, with 84% receiving their first preference. In Kent there was a decrease to 22,479, and 79% got their first choice.
Outside the south-east, families were more likely to receive their first preference, including 97% in East Yorkshire, 94% in York and 88% in Oxfordshire.
Parents can rank their preferences for between three and six schools, depending on the area, with places decided by algorithm using each school’s oversubscription criteria so that each child is awarded the highest preference for which they are eligible.
London boroughs had some of the lowest success rates in the country, with only 62.5% of children in Hammersmith and Fulham and 63% in Lewisham getting their first preference. In Barking and Dagenham, 82% got their first choice, and in the City of London the figure was 78%.
London’s fall in secondary school applications follows several years of declining primary school enrolments in the capital.
Ian Edwards, London Councils’ executive member for children and young people, said: “Boroughs have worked diligently with schools to ensure there are sufficient places to meet the demand for school places across the capital, particularly in the context of falling school rolls and the impact this is having on some schools.
“London’s population has always ebbed and flowed, so it is likely that the birthrate will pick up in due course.
“However, it is difficult to predict when and if this will happen, so local authorities will have to work closely with communities, schools and other local services in the meantime to ensure that we don’t lose vital assets, such as schools, that we may need in the future.”
He added: “We remain keen to work with government to respond to pressures surrounding secondary school places, ensuring that all London pupils have the best start in life.”
The falling numbers are likely to squeeze school budgets, which London Councils said could mean “narrowing the curriculum, offering fewer after-school clubs or reducing the number of teaching and support staff”.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: “Delivering good quality school places is a top priority for this government.”
What to do if you don’t get a place
More than four out of five children receive their first preference when councils distribute state school places in England. But every year some do not receive a place at any of their choices, or are otherwise unhappy. The good news is that there are options before the start of the school year in September.
The headteacher of a school in central London said: “Parents shouldn’t panic. Don’t begin by rejecting any offer of a school place, even if it was not one of your preferences, because that means you’ve taken yourself out of the system.”
Waiting lists Add your child’s name to waiting lists for other schools you’d listed, even if you also accept another offer. One head said: “Especially in cities, there’s lots of movement up to September. Families with places can move, they could take up a place at another school or opt to go to a private school.”
Research shows that after offer day there is a significant increase in children getting a place at their first preference or a higher preference school, especially in London.
Appeals Parents who are unhappy can appeal to an independent panel under regulations set out by the government, with details available from each local authority.
Parents will need to show evidence that their child should have been awarded a place under the school’s oversubscription criteria or that there is some other compelling reason, such as an education, health and care plan for the child or severe transport difficulties.
Second thoughts Headteachers recommend that parents take a close look at the school they have been offered, by visiting it or even reading Ofsted inspection reports.
“Some parents can be put off by local gossip or outdated images of a school. Visiting a school is the best way to see for yourself,” said one head.
