ALMOST ONE in four students in Bracknell were unable to get into their first choice secondary school, shocking figures have revealed. 

Children in Bracknell Forest have been applying to their secondary schools for September, but not everyone has been left satisfied. 

In 2017, the number of children getting a place in their first choice secondary school was 86 per cent, but this has dropped by almost ten per cent, with only 77 per cent getting a place in their first choice. 

The number of children getting into their second choice has increased, going from nine per cent to 12 per cent.

The council has blamed this on the development of the Kings Academy in Binfield. 

Nikki Edwards, director of children, young people and learning, said: "Of the total number of Bracknell Forest residents who applied on time, 93 per cent have been offered one of their preferred schools. We are pleased to confirm that all applicants living in the catchment area of any Bracknell Forest secondary school have been offered a place for that school.
 
“Owing to the timescale of the King’s Academy Binfield project, which will open in September 2018 and eventually provide more than 1,000 additional secondary school places for the borough, we had to carry out a separate application process for King’s Academy Binfield for this year only. Because of this, parents received two offers; one for King’s Academy Binfield and one for an established school, and they have until 15 March to accept one. This has resulted in the data for this year being skewed.”