main content Co-ordinated admissions a success in Bromley

Despite some negative media coverage about the new co-ordinated admissions system, and more serious reported problems in other boroughs, in Bromley the scheme was a success and has gone a long way towards alleviating the stress and anxiety caused by families holding on to multiple offers while others have none.

Eighty per cent of the 3,500 children in Bromley applying to maintained secondary schools have been offered a place at either their first or second choice school.  Less than 1% of pupils had not been allocated a place by yesterday's deadline for parents to accept or reject offers.

By comparison, around the same time last year more than 360 children, 10% of those applying, were still without the offer of a place.

Computer software problems meant the final stages of the exchange of information with neighbouring authorities had to be completed manually. Although this increased significantly the work of the admissions team, it did not impact on the offers made to any pupils.

Bromley Council's Head of Access and Admissions, Mike Barnes, reported an analysis of the new system to Executive Councillor for Children and Young People Councillor, Graham Arthur, at his Portfolio meeting on Tuesday night.

Figures show the large majority of children received either their first or second preferences, and the Local Education Authority was able to meet the 1 March offer day deadline in all but a very small number of cases.

While we acknowledge this is still a nervous time for those pupils still waiting to hear, the Council's admissions staff will be making offers to these individuals in the very near future.  We also expect that some pupils who were not initially offered a place at a school on their list of preferences, will be allocated a place at a preferred school during the next round of co-ordination.

Councillor Arthur said: "With the new system we aimed to do two things, speed up the process and minimise anxiety for parents and their children. That is precisely what we have done.

"This is a most extraordinary achievement by officers in several departments of the Council who worked together to ensure offers were made on time. They pulled out all the stops and thoroughly deserve our praise."

Parents were asked to either accept or reject the offer by 15 March.  A second round of co-ordination will now be held, which will also include all those who applied after the 22 October deadline.  Any further places which become available will be allocated through waiting lists operated by schools in May.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Number of pupils without an offer of a place so far, compared with the same time in previous years:
March 2005 - 30 (0.8%)
April 2004 - 368 (10%)
April 2003 - 490 (13%)
April 2002 - 535 (15%)
April 2001 - 492 (15%)

Percentage of pupils receiving either their first or second preference schools:
1st choice - 66%
2nd choice - 14%

200 pupils, about 6%, have been offered a place at a school which was not on their list of preferences.

For media enquiries, please contact Richard Simcox, Communications Officer, on 020 8313 4310, or e-mail:  richard.simcox@bromley.gov.uk