THE MAJORITY of parents are celebrating today after getting their child into their first choice school — but hundreds are still facing disappointing after failing to get their youngster into any of their selected schools.

The numbers of children getting into their top choice was up on last year, and comes as the council received a record number of applications for high school places, with 4,583 offers being made.

This was up on last year's figure of 3820.

National Offer Day: What to do if your child didn't get their first choice

A total of 82.32 per cent of children — 3773 — received offers from their first choice school. Last year that figure stood at 81.33 per cent — 3107.

Just over nine per cent — 431 — received their second choice and figures for third place was 3.18 per cent or 146 pupils.

A total of 233 children — 5.08 per cent — did not get a place at any of the three schools selected by their parents.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "This year we have received a significantly higher number of applications for secondary school places but we are pleased to be able to offer every Bolton child a place in a Bolton school.

"Our schools admissions team works very hard to fulfil as many preferences as possible and around 95 per cent have been offered either their first, second or third preference.

"Any increase in applications can affect the number of first preferences offered and each borough is different depending on the size of the cohort and demand for certain schools. Despite the larger cohort, the percentage of first preferences is slightly higher than last year.

"We understand that this can be an anxious time for parents and there will undoubtedly be some disappointments. Any concerns can be addressed through the appeals process."

Secondary schools in Bolton are facing unprecedented demand for places, with the council having this year embarked on an expansion scheme to increase the number of places in the most popular schools.

More than 200 extra high school places will be created this September as education chiefs spend £15 million on building work to meet a 'desperate' need for demand.

Schools which will take in an extra 30 pupils from September will be Canon Slade in Bradshaw, Sharples Academy, Thornleigh Salesian College in Sharples, Essa Academy in Great Lever, and Ladybridge High School.

Pupil numbers will increase by 39 at St Joseph’s RC High School, Horwich and 40 at Westhoughton High School. Each school will undergo a £2 to £3 million expansion programme to accommodate the extra numbers.

Turton School is currently undergoing a £2.5 million extension and modernisation plans to increase the numbers of pupils who go there.