Fewer children have secured one of their top three secondary school choices compared to last year, although the number awarded their first-choice school has increased.

Today, parents, carers and families across Sheffield learned which secondary school their children have been allocated today.

The overall number of children receiving a place at their top three preferences was down 0.15 per cent from last year, but remained high at 96.74 per cent.

placeholder image — Today, parents, carers and families across Sheffield learned which secondary school their children have been allocated today

There were also slight increases in both the number of children who will be attending their first choice school for the academic year 2026/27 as well as the percentage of applicants this represents.

For 2025/26, the number of pupils securing their first choice was 5,978 – 89.02 per cent of applicants.

For 2026/27, this has increased to 6,042 pupils – 89.22 per cent of applicants.

Councillor Dawn Dale, Chair of the Education, Children’s and Families Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “It’s fantastic that even more children in Sheffield will be attending their first choice secondary school this September.

“With the planned changes for education proposed in the Government’s White Paper on education this week, we hope this next group of children are excited to take their next steps in education this autumn.

“We know it will be frustrating for those that didn’t get their choice of school, but the numbers who don’t get any of their three preferred choices remains very low.

“If that is unfortunately the case for your child, then the independent appeal panel will hear your case.”

For more information on the figures and information for parents, carers and families that wanting to appeal a decision, head to the Sheffield City Council website here.