ALMOST half of all children in Redbridge will not get into the secondary school of their choice this September, while 197 remain without a place at all.

Only 57 per cent of the borough’s pupils moving up from junior schools will be able to learn at their number one choice of secondary, with over 1,400 children receiving the disappointing news this week.

In addition, six per cent of pupils remain in limbo as the high demand for secondary places leaves them without a confirmed offer.

The figures come at the same time as it was announced that some children joining junior schools this year will be taught in temporary classrooms, as permission from the Office of the Schools Adjudicator was given to Redbridge to increase the number of pupils at both Christchurch Primary School in Wellesley Road, Ilford, and Fullwood Primary School in Burford Close, Barkingside, to ease over subscription problems.

Anita Phipps’ son Ben will be moving from Ray Lodge Primary School in Snakes Lane East, Woodford Green, to Woodbridge High School in St Barnabas Road.

She said: “I’m near West Hatch High but that has a really long waiting list so I knew there was no point in me putting it down as my first choice.

“Really Woodbridge was my second choice as it will take half an hour to walk instead of about ten minutes and my daughter went to Woodbridge and got a bit of grief, but you have to put down what you think you are likely to get.”

Across London, 87 per cent of pupils were offered a place at one of their top three secondary school choices, with 82 per cent of Redbridge children awarded the same, but over 8 per cent - 264 - did not even get their sixth choice.

A spokesperson for Redbridge Council said: “Two per cent of children didn't get their sixth place and six per cent haven’t been offered anything at present but we do expect movement to take place in schools.

“Sometimes parents move out of the borough or accept other places and every pupil will end up with an offer eventually.”

Cabinet member for Children's Services Cllr Michael Stark added: "The figures are about the same as they were last year and we may be a couple a percent behind other boroughs simply because we have two grammar schools and a lot of people put them down as first choice and then don't get in."

If you are not happy with the offer you have received for your child or if you still have no place, call the newsdesk on: 8498 3462.