Thousands more parents make primary school admissions appeals

In 2007/8 there were 33,000 appeals against primary school allocations, but this had increased to 38,000 by 2008/9.

The proportion of successful appeals against a primary school allocation was marginally down from 27.8 per cent in 2007/8 to 25 per cent the following year.

In marked contrast, the number of secondary school admissions appeals fell during the same period from 53,430 to 50,200.

Schools minister Nick Gibb is using these latest primary school figures to support the coalition government's planned reforms of education, allowing more schools to adopt academy status and for parent groups to take over the running of schools.

He said: "Today's figures show that an increasing number of parents are unhappy with the school choices open to them.
 
"The level of dissatisfaction underlines why it is so important we change the schools system so providers like teacher groups and charities can open new state schools wherever parents want them; and give outstanding schools the freedoms they need to help improve those in more challenging circumstances."