Technical problems with the admissions portal meant that parents were unable to access their children’s school place offer online on Wednesday morning. This was due to both a national issue with the IT system we use and issues with the local implementation of the new system.
We would like to apologise to parents and children for any anxiety this caused.
The admissions portal is now working and emails were also sent to parents with secondary school place offers for their children on Wednesday.
Ninety-five per cent of Reading students have been offered a place in one of their preferred secondary schools this year.
Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) received 1,958 applications for secondary school places and has ensured that all pupils have a place in September.
The percentage of pupils being offered a place in their first preference school increased from 69% to 74% this year.
Ninety-two per cent of pupils will be going to one of their top three preferred schools. The percentage not allocated to any of their preferences is 5% compared with 7% last year.
Brian Grady, Director of Education at BFfC, said: “I am pleased that we are offering so many Reading children a place at one of their preferred secondary schools this year.
“Our Admissions Team has worked hard to ensure all 1,958 applicants have a school place this September and we will continue to work with Reading Borough Council and other partners to keep up with future demand for secondary places in the borough.
“It is such an exciting time for children when they start at secondary schools and we would like to send our best wishes to all Reading pupils in their new schools.”
Cllr Ruth McEwan, Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, said: “Almost all Reading children will be able to look forward to starting at one of their preferred secondary schools in September.
“We continue to plan for the future with the construction of the new River Academy progressing well and with further investment in our existing school properties.”