NEARLY nine out of 10 pupils in Tameside have secured their first-choice secondary school for September.
That’s the highest figure recorded in the borough for a decade, the local authority has said.
New data released by Tameside Council shows that almost 88 per cent of families have been offered their preferred school place for children starting Year 7 in September 2026.
The proportion rises to almost 95 per cent for families receiving either their first or second choice of school – also the highest level since 2016 and an increase on last year’s figures.
Across the borough’s 16 mainstream secondary schools, a total of 3,199 places have been allocated for pupils beginning Year 7 this autumn.
Applications for secondary school places closed in October 2025, with parents asked to list up to three preferred schools in order of choice.
Councillor Leanne Feeley, the council’s Executive Member for Culture and Lifelong Learning, welcomed the figures.
She said: “I’m delighted that more families have been able to gain their first choice of school in Tameside, and I would like to thank all those involved in the admissions process from Tameside Council, as well as our secondary schools, for their hard work to make this happen.
“These figures are the highest they have been in ten years and we are dedicated to ensuring as many families as possible can obtain their preferred choice. We will continue to work hard for our young people to meet these requests where possible.”
Families are now waiting for the next stage of the school admissions calendar, with primary school offers due to be sent out on April 16.
Applications for reception places for children starting primary school in September 2026 closed on January 15 for those born between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022.