THE wait is over for parents wanting to know if their child has got in to their first choice secondary school.

Across the country, parents who applied for their children to transfer from primary to secondary education next September have been told the outcome of their applications.

In York, the percentage of parents getting their first choice of secondary school is down from 94 per cent last year to 92 per cent, while in the East Riding nearly 99 per cent of parents got their first choice compared with 97 per cent last year.

North Yorkshire County Council has yet to compile its figures, but all authorities had to send their decision letters to parents on March 1.

Tish Taylor, of Haxby, York, was one of the unlucky ones, as she did not get either of her two choices.

Mrs Taylor wanted her daughter, Shannon, who is currently at New Earswick Primary, to go to Huntington School as her first choice, or Easingwold School as her reserve.

Instead, Shannon has been offered a place at Joseph Rowntree School, at New Earswick.

"I'm not happy, there are pupils at the same school as Shannon now that have got to go to Huntington first time.

"I didn't even put Joseph Rowntree on my parental choices form, and now I am going to appeal the decision."

Mark Ellis, of City of York Council's education team, said places were allocated on a catchment area basis.

If a parent wanted to appeal a decision they can write to the council and their case will be considered by an independent board which normally sits in May. About one in three appeals is successful.

This year, Manor School and Archbishop Holgate's School were the two York secondary schools oversubscribed, with 69 applications being turned down at Manor. The four schools with places still available are Lowfields, Joseph Rowntree, Burnholme Community College and Oaklands.

Mr Ellis said: "In the last five years, the number of appeals the council gets has dropped from somewhere in the region of 200 to between 20 and 30 now, although this year we expect there to be slightly more with the number of parents being turned down at Manor."

A total of 3,748 applications were received from parents living in the East Riding.

Jon Mager, director of children, family and adult services, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "The outcome of this admissions round, both at secondary and primary school level, has been excellent.

"Nearly all parents are getting places at the schools they want. Out of some 7,500 primary and secondary applications, only around 50 applicants have not got places at one of their preferred schools."

Updated: 10:42 Friday, March 03, 2006