One in five pupils missed out on their first choice school in Bolton - but 95 per cent were offered a place at one of their three secondary school choices.

Figures released by Bolton Council show that the numbers of children going onto their first choice high school was 81.4 per cent - 3,525 children.

The numbers of pupils being offered a place at one of their preferred schools was slightly higher than last year.

A breakdown of the figures shows:

• First preference (3,525) 81.4%

• Second preference (448) 10.3%

• Third preference (147) 3.4%

• No preference (211) 4.9%

Compared to last year, there has been a rise in the number of of pupils who have received their first choice, with 3,325 pupils, 79.7 per cent, given their first choices in 2021 - a rise of 1.7 per cent in 2022.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Anne Galloway, said: “A secondary school offer has been made to every child who has applied for a place in Bolton.

“Despite high demand, 95.1 per cent of applicants have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools which is an increase of 1.2 per cent from last year.

“This is a direct result of our work to increase both the number and variety of places on offer, by adding new schools and expanding capacity in existing secondaries.”

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