Parents of reception age children across Cornwall were today sent details of which school their child is due to attend in September, with the majority of children being allocated a place in their first preference school – though the authorities warn that Saltash is among communities experiencing heavy pressure on places.

All reception age pupils who applied for a school place in Cornwall have been allocated a place.

The Council received ,5839 applications for new reception school places for pupils in Cornwall to start school in September 2016.  Of those, 5,399 (92.5 %) have been offered a place at their first preference school. 

Of the 440 pupils who were not allocated their first preference school, 220 pupils have been allocated their second preference school and 46 pupils their third preference school. 97% of children have been allocated one of their three preferences.

This is a slight improvement compared to 2015 admissions, when 91% of children were allocated a place in their first preference school, with 96% being allocated one of their three preferences. 

Cornwall has 235 primary schools, of which 227 have reception classes (with the remaining 8 junior schools); of these, 104 are currently full.  This number is expected to increase as late applications for places are processed over the next few weeks. 

The number of primary aged children in Cornwall requiring a school place continues to grow, this picture is mirrored nationally.

Saltash is among the areas in Cornwall which are experiencing particular pressures on reception age school places, alongside St Austell, Helston, Falmouth, Pool, Camelford, Truro and Newquay.

To meet the increasing demand for school places in primary schools, Cornwall Council has commissioned expansion schemes at a number of schools across Cornwall to ensure that children can be accommodated in new reception, and other primary classes, in time for the start of the new academic year in September 2016. 

The Council says it has been working closely with schools in pupil place pressure areas in Cornwall to identify the best solution for expansion.