Parents across the borough have received offers of secondary school places from Cheshire East Council this week for children starting in September 2021, with the majority getting their first choice of school.

The council has worked with local schools to offer preference places to 98 per cent of Cheshire East residents (an increase from 97 per cent in 2020) with 92 per cent being offered their first preference of secondary school (compared to 91.6 per cent in 2020).

This position is expected to improve further before pupils start in September 2021, as some parents will decline places as their circumstances have changed and places will become available to other children.

The number of applications for school places in Cheshire East continues to increase. In 2021, the total number of applications was 4621 with 470 applications received from families living outside the borough, an indication of the popularity of Cheshire East schools.

Schools have adapted well during the pandemic, offering virtual tours to help parents in making preferences for their child's school. They will now be working with primary schools and parents to prepare children for their change to secondary school. Again, they are working creatively where it is not possible for pupils to take part in the usual activities that help them prepare for the move.

Parents who have not received a place at their first preference school and would prefer an alternative school have the right to submit an appeal and/or go on the waiting list for another school.

Parents are advised to accept their child's offer even if they would prefer a different school until they have confirmed alternative plans for their child's education.

For further advice, parents can visit the Cheshire East Council website, the website of their preferred school, e-mail [email protected] or call 0300 123 5012.

Parents can also follow the Cheshire East Family Information Service on social media for tips and advice.

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families said: "I appreciate that school offer day is a big day for parents and carers.

"We have an excellent track record in seeing pupils getting their choice of secondary school in Cheshire East, and I'd like to thank all the teams and schools involved in meeting this week's milestone in the education calendar.

"We continue to work hard with schools, to ensure there are sufficient places for our children and have a plan to create additional places to accommodate the growing number of families who choose to live, work and learn in Cheshire East.

"The last 12 months have been challenging for children and their families and I wish all the year seven students the very best start in their chosen secondary school in September."

Families of children starting primary school in September 2021 will receive their school offer place on 16 April 2021.