LESS pupils in Brentwood will be attending their first choice secondary school this year than last year, admissions figures show.

This contrasts with the rest of Essex where the overall number of parents getting their children into their first choice school went up this year.

Six per cent less children in the borough gained a place at their parents’ first preference secondary school for 2011/2012 than they did in 2010/11.

Brentwood North County Cllr Barry Aspinell (Liberal Democrat) said: “It’s possibly because more parents are looking for schools in Brentwood than there were previously, and there are less schools this year because they’re closing Sawyers Hall College.

“I would be very upset if it turned out that any Brentwood residents couldn’t get into any schools in Brentwood, that would be shocking.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council pointed out that 0.74 per cent more pupils got into one of their first four choice secondary schools this year than last.

Cllr Stephen Castle (Conservative), county council cabinet member for education, said: “Waiting for that all important secondary school offer can be a nervous time for parents and pupils, and I am delighted that so many will be receiving good news.

“I am very pleased to see that we have been able to accommodate even more pupils into a school they listed as a preference, I wish them all the best as they carry on their education.”

Essex County Council received a total of 14,753 applications for secondary school places across the region.