|
|
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|||
|
|
No. of pupils |
% |
No. of pupils |
% |
No. of pupils |
% |
|
Offered a first preference |
12,613 |
82.8% |
12,775 |
82.7% |
12,725 |
80.1% |
|
Offered a second preference |
1,481 |
9.7% |
1,567 |
10.2% |
1,753 |
11.0% |
|
Offered a third preference |
505 |
3.3% |
533 |
3.4% |
595 |
3.7% |
|
Offered a fourth preference |
183 |
1.2% |
157 |
1.1% |
197 |
1.2% |
|
Allocated by Local Authority |
443 |
2.9% |
413 |
2.6% |
620 |
3.9% |
|
Total number of |
15,225 |
15,445 |
15,890 |
|||
|
Year |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|
Out of county applicants |
1,792 |
1,671 |
1,532 |
|
Out of county offers |
560 |
513 |
532 |
In Medway the figures are provided on a slightly different basis but are:
| Medway Pupils | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
| Offered a first preference | 86.7% | 87.2% | 84.3% |
| Offered a place at one of their top three choices | 97.7% | 96.9% | |
| Offered a place at one of their six choices | 98.6% | 98.1% | 96.1% |
| Allocated a place by Medway Council | 1.4% | 1.9% | 3.9% |
Further details will emerge in time, but the West &North West Kent grammar school situation will certainly add weight to the pressure for a new grammar school (or grammar school annex) in Sevenoaks. It is already apparent that the cut off point for all three West Kent grammar schools has risen, some children with a score of 418 (maximum just 420) having been rejected at The Judd. Skinners is up sharply to 414, Tonbridge Grammar also rising, inners - 413, and outers 414. Something has to give, as indicated by my earlier article. However, I continue to believe the biggest pressure surrounds the third or so of places at Dartford Grammar School (cut off at 414), and the usual 15% or so at Dartford Girls, awarded to high scorers, no matter their place of residence (although this year it is reported that all places went to local children and none were left for high scorers). The ease of access from the large swathe of south east London served by the Dartford London line, including Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, and Lewisham means that the cut off is rising inexorably and I would not be surprised if Dartford Grammar is soon challenging The Judd's inexorable rise to 420 which I anticipate will happen within a year or two.
A previous news item discusses the future with possible changes to the Kent Test.
There are 60 qualified Kent children who asked for a grammar school place, but weren't offered any school on their form, and have been offered a (fairly) local non-selective school instead. There are some others who put down a non selective school on their form and have been offered this, who are not in the above total. This year amongst others, there is a problem with boys in West Kent and it appears that many in North Sevenoaks may have lost out and been awarded a non-selective school instead.
In Medway, we have falling rolls, so it is hardly surprising that the percentage of pupils gaining one of their preferred places continues to rise. For 2012 entry, there were 2,828 children although (Confession) I have mislaid the number in 2011. What Is interesting is the slight fall in first preferences getting their schools, which suggests to me the polarisation in the Borough is increasing as parents chase fewer schools as their first choice, and seek to avoid others.
