A boy in a red school uniform holds a red pen

Published: Friday, 1st March 2024

The vast majority of Royal Greenwich students will be heading to a preference secondary school when the new term rolls round in September 2024.

Offers went out today, Friday March 1, to young people who are taking the step from primary to secondary later this year. 

Well over half of students - 65.1% - have been given a place at their first preference school, and 94.2% being given a place at one of their top five preference. 

Thousands of students will Be Great In Greenwich by going to a local school too. We received 3,268 applications this year – just three fewer than 2023 – and 77.5% are heading to a Greenwich secondary school. 

Councillor Matt Morrow, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “It’s Our Greenwich mission to make sure that every child reaches their full potential, so it’s great to see that so many families have been offered a school of their preference ready for a seamless start in September.

“Royal Greenwich is lucky to have lots of brilliant local secondary schools, filled with hard working teachers and wide, engaging curriculums. 

“You really don’t have to go far to get top quality education in our borough, and I know that no matter the school, every child can Be Great in Greenwich.”

Requests for special educational needs/disabilities places has risen, and the Council is working hard on a number of schemes to help meet that demand over the next few years. 

Some families will still be waiting for confirmation of their child's place. We’re working hard to make sure that those families have a school place as soon as possible, and hope to be able to issue an update by the end of March. 

Notes to editors: 

Figures for Greenwich secondary school applications: 

  • Preference: 94.2% 
  • First preference: 65.15% 
  • Residents going to a local school: 77.5% 
  • Allocated: 5.8%