by political editor Paul Francis

Thousands of children find out today which secondary school in
Kent and Medway they have been offered a place at for
September.

Parents who have applied for a secondary place online in Kent
will be able to discover the outcome of their application from 4pm
while Kent County Council, which is responsible for administering
the process, will send out letters to others. These are due to
arrive in the next few days.

While the bulk of children are expected to secure their first
place school, there is likely to be disappointment for some and an
anxious wait while they go through the appeals process.

Kent County Council said about eight out of 10 parents had
secured their first-choice school, with 12,613 pupils offered a
first preference - the same as last year.

A further 1,481 children secured their second preference and 688
either their third or fourth choice.

However, 443 children have been offered a place at a school they
did not list - a small increase on last year’s figure of 413.

A total of 15,225 children from Kent applied for places, about
200 fewer than last year.

At the same time, there was an increase in applications from
outside the county, with 1,792 from elsewhere.

Of these, 560 were offered places at Kent schools - 47 more than
last year.

As in previous years, education chiefs say they expect there
will be a scramble for places at some of west Kent’s heavily
over-subscribed grammar schools.

That could mean some not being offered a place at a selective
school despite passing the 11-plus.

Cllr Mike Whiting (Con), cabinet member for education, said: "We
are seeing the overwhelming majority getting one of their four
choices.

"At this stage of the process, it is a very encouraging picture.
I would expect, come September, there will have been sufficient
movement in numbers through appeals and waiting lists to make sure
parents will be able to secure one of their preferred school
choices."

He added: "Once again, we are seeing particular pressure on
grammar school places in west Kent – a situation exacerbated by the
number of applications from children living in neighbouring
areas.

"Where KCC has been unable to allocate a local grammar place due
to high demand, a place in a wide-ability school or academy closer
to home has been offered to them."

Parents needing help or advice on how to appeal can get information from KCC’s admissions team on 01622 695565 or visit www.kent.gov.uk/secondaryadmissions.

Leigh Technology Academy, Dartford, was again the most oversubscribed school in Kent, receiving more than 1,000 preferences for its 240 available places.

The nine next most popular are: Longfield Academy, Dartford; Fulston Manor School, Sittingbourne; Dartford Grammar School, Dartford; Westlands School, Sittingbourne; St George’s C of E Foundation School, Broadstairs; The Charles Dickens School, Broadstairs; Homewood School and Sixth Form, Tenterden; Valley Park Community School, Maidstone; Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, Tunbridge Wells.