WE FELT your use of case studies in Monday’s story on primary school admissions in Oxfordshire (Oxford Mail, September 26, Too few places at too many schools, P4), served to paint an excessively gloomy picture for your readers.

Unfortunately, there will always be times when we are unable to offer a child a place at their first choice school and we sympathise with the families featured in your story, as well as others who have been unsuccessful. However, the overwhelming majority – 89 per cent – of children in Oxfordshire were successful in gaining a place at their first choice primary school and this compares very favourably with other parts of the country.

It was wrongly stated that Oxfordshire County Council turned down an appeal made by the Jones family regarding their daughters’ applications. This was in fact rejected by an independent panel.

It is also a significant fact that the parents of Savannah Davis did not apply for any school within their catchment area and failed to list a second or third preference. It was not possible to offer her a place at St Francis Primary but, with no stated alternative, local schools within the family’s catchment area became fully subscribed, leaving only options further afield.

Parents rightly expect to have a choice of good schools in their local area, and it is our responsibility to bring all schools up to the highest possible standards to make that choice as realistic as possible.

In an ideal world every child would get their first choice school, but logic also dictates that where there is a choice, some schools will inevitably attract more first preferences than their capacity will allow.

It’s hugely important, therefore, that parents include second and third preferences when applying, despite the understandable strength of feeling many families may have for a particular school.

MELINDA TILLEY, Cabinet Member for Schools, Oxfordshire County Council