A record number of primary-aged pupils across the country received a place at their preferred school for 2023-24 – some 92.5% were offered their first choice, up from 92.2% in 2022-23 and the highest figure since 2014-15.
However, there was also a record low number of applications, with just 568,560 children fighting for the school places.
In Birmingham, 11,561 of 12,658 children (91.3%) secured a place at their first preference. Nearly three-quarters of pupils in Birmingham were also admitted to their first-choice secondary school, new figures show.
The Association of School and College Leaders said the rising number of secondary school pupils is putting pressure on applications, especially in more affluent areas that have schools with good or outstanding Ofsted ratings.
Department for Education figures show 15,114 children applied for a place at a secondary school in Birmingham for the 2023-24 academic year.
Of them, 10,824 (71.6%) were admitted to their first choice, while 14,440 (95.5%) received a place from at least one school in their top six choices.
Schools minister Nick Gibb said: “It is great to know that up and down the country families are able to make the right choice for their child, enrolling them in a school and environment that they feel will best support their child to learn and develop.
“Today’s figures attest to the Government’s priority in providing good quality school places, which will ensure every child has the opportunity to meet their potential.”
With this in mind, we’ve take a closer look at the figures to unveil the 15 hardest Birmingham primary schools to get into in Birmingham.
1. The Olive School, Tyseley
47% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 96 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google
2. The Olive School, Small Heath
49% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 62 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.
3. St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Harborne
52% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 28 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.
4. Moseley Church of England Primary School
53% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 27 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.