News Around

Secondary School offer day

understand more about residents’ views on their local area and a range of issues affecting themselves, their families and their communities. The results are used to help inform a range of policies and services which aim to make life better for people across the county.

On 1st March parents of nearly 17,000 Essex pupils received the outcome of their secondary school applications. The total number of applications for September 2023 admissions in Essex, 16,945, is the highest number ever received.

Just under 97% (more than 19 out of every 20 children) are being offered one of their named preferences of secondary school.

Despite the record number of applications, 84.17% of children are being offered their parents’ first preference this year. A further 8.5% have been offered their second preference, meaning almost 93% have been offered either their first or second preference. This year, 99% of families applied online and will receive their offer by email or by logging onto the Essex County Council website.

Cllr Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “It is fantastic to see that, once again, we have been able to offer so many pupils their preferred secondary school place. Find out more about school admissions in Essex via www.essex.gov.uk/topic/admissions

Help Essex County Council shape the future of Essex by taking part in survey

Through March, Essex County Council are inviting selected households across Essex to take part in the annual Resident Survey. Invitation letters are being sent by post to randomly selected households. The letters all contain a unique code and a link to an online survey. There is also an option to complete a paper copy of the questionnaire.

The Resident Survey helps the council to

The 2023 survey is being conducted by Opinion Research Services (ORS), an independent social research agency. ORS are a Market Research Society (MRS) Company Partner and adhere to the Market Research Society Code of Conduct at all times.

The survey – open to residents aged 18 and over in invited households – aims to form a representative picture of all people in Essex, therefore residents across all age groups and backgrounds are encouraged to take part.

Shining a spotlight on young carers in Essex

Essex Youth Service works with schools across the county providing them with relevant tools and training to identify and support young carers, share good practice and to celebrate great outcomes achieved for young carers.

The Young Carers in Schools (YCiS) Awards are accredited nationally by The Carers Trust and The Children’s Society.

Achievement of an Award demonstrates that a school has reached a standard that