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Majority of pupils offered preferred secondary school places

Monday, 2 March 2026 12:31

Ilkley Grammar School

The vast majority of children in Ilkley and across the Bradford district have been offered a place at one of their preferred secondary schools, figures from Bradford Council show.

On Secondary School National Offer Day, (2 March), 92% of pupils who applied on time were offered a place at one of their top three preferred schools, with 95% receiving one of their top five choices.

In total, 7,823 applications were processed this year, and every child who applied on time has been allocated a school place.

More than three quarters of pupils (79.04%) were offered their first-preferred school, while 9.06% receiving their second preference and 3.68% their third.

The proportion of pupils offered a place at one of their preferred schools remains high and continues to reflect the strong performance of the admissions process across the district.

Councillor Sue Duffy, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Children and Families, said:

“Starting secondary school is a big milestone for children and their families, so we know how important it is for parents to secure a place at a school they have chosen.

“I’m pleased that, once again, the overwhelming majority of our children have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools, with more than nine in ten receiving one of their top three choices.

“I’d like to thank families for taking the time to carefully consider their preferences, and I also wish all our young people the very best for when they take this exciting next step and move up to secondary school.”

This year’s figures are broadly in line with 2025, with a slight increase in the number of pupils receiving their first preference and a reduction in those allocated a place at a school outside their listed choices.

Further information about school admissions, including how to appeal or join a waiting list, is available on the Bradford Council website.

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