A higher proportion of pupils have been accepted into their first choice of secondary school in Bolton this year. 

Today is National Offer Day, where children across the country will find out which high school they have been offered to attend from September. 

There were fewer overall applications in the borough this year compared to 2023, with 4,370 places being offered at Bolton's secondary schools this year - down from 4,472 last year. 

This year, 82.3 per cent of children, some 3,597, were accepted into their first preference. 

In 2023, 81.1 per cent were offered their first choice with applications for 3,628 pupils. 

This year, 416 pupils (9.5 per cent) were offered their second choice, 147 (3.3 per cent) were offered their third choice and 210 (4.8 per cent) had no preference. A proportion of 95.1 per cent got an offer at a preference school. 

These figures compares to last year, where 453 (10.1 per cent) were offered their second choice, 127 (2.8 per cent) were offered their third choice and 264 (5.9 per cent) had no preference. A proportion of 94.1 per cent got an offer at a preference school.

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The council’s executive cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Martin Donaghy, said: “A secondary school offer has been made to every child who has applied for a place in Bolton.

“This year has seen significant high demand for places when compared with previous years.

“Despite this demand, 95.1 per cent of applicants have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools.

“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.” 

Numbers could increase as parents appeal or send children to an independent school.

England’s school system has been put under pressure in recent years as a population bulge has been moving into secondary schools.

Did your child get the secondary school place they wanted? Let us know in the comments.