More than a third of parents failed to get a place at Essex’s most oversubscribed non-selective secondary school after putting it down as a first choice preference.

As many as 34 per cent of first choice applicants for the Gilberd School, in Colchester, were unsuccessful in securing a place at the school.

In its latest Ofsted rating in 2018, the Gilberd School was deemed to be outstanding.

Of the 411 first place preferences, only 270 were offered a place.

Altogether 296 places were up for grabs.

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The exam results showed one of the reasons why the school is so popular. In 2019, the last year in which results were publicly made available, its attainment 8, which measures how well pupils have performed in up to eight qualifications including English, maths, the school scored 50.7.

That compared to the average score for England state-funded schools of 46.1.

The Ofsted report said: “The school’s key strength is its commitment to a well-rounded education.

“In addition to academic success, pupils gain the necessary skills to succeed in life through the thoughtful and wide-ranging promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

“The broad curriculum prepares pupils exceptionally well, and in a variety of ways, for their adult lives, for example, through excellently-planned careers advice and guidance.

“The academic progress and attainment of pupils of different backgrounds and abilities across a wide range of subjects are consistently above average.”

The school is part of the Alpha Trust, along with Colchester County High School for Girls.

It is also a sister school to Trinity School which is based at the Gilberd until its new school premises are completed.

Applications for a secondary school place starting September 2023 can be made between September 12 and October 31.

All applications received after October 31, 2022, will be treated as late and will only be processed after all on-time applications.

They are less likely to get a place at a preferred schools if they apply late.

Four selective grammar schools – King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, Colchester Royal Grammar School, Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Colchester County High School for Girls were most popular in Essex.