How do preferences work when it comes to allocating applicants to places in foundation schools?
Each applicant’s preference will be considered in order of score, starting with the highest scoring applicant. Applicants will be allocated their first choice foundation school wherever possible (that is, while places remain available within that school). Applicants not allocated to their first preference foundation school, will then each be considered, in score order, and placed in their highest ranking school at which places remain available. Here’s how it works: John Smith, Jane Doe and Ann Applicant have ranked Sherlock Foundation School as their first preference. There are 300 places at Sherlock Foundation School. 305 applicants ranked this school as their first preference. Under the allocation process, applicants who ranked Sherlock Foundation School as their first preference will be allocated starting with the highest scoring applicant until either all the places within the school, or all the applicants, have been allocated. John Smith’s overall score meant that he has the 25th
