Bitham Brook most oversubscribed primary school in Wiltshire

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison

It was the first day at school for many children recently, but for parents of Reception-aged children, some state schools proved harder to get into than others.

The most oversubscribed school in the county this year was Bitham Brook Primary School in Westbury. The school, which has 400 pupils and 18 teachers, has grown – in both size and popularity – due to the expansion of the town to the east.

With Good ratings from Ofsted across the board, the school has proved popular with parents. 84 families competed for 60 reception class places, giving each a 71% chance of success.

The second most oversubscribed school was Neston Primary School, a village school in a growing village south of Corsham. Originally opened in 1861, the school has been significantly expanded over the years to meet the needs of a growing population.

45 families applied for 30 places in the Reception class this year, leaving 15 families disappointed.

Greenfields Primary School in near Salisbury was the third most oversubscribed primary school in the county. 73  families applied for 60 reception class places.