Applications for Church schools rise slightly

The number of applications for Church schools rose marginally this year after having dipped last year, figures issued by the Curia today show.

The drawing of the names by lot starts this afternoon.

The Curia said the total number of applications was of 3,266 for 1,062 available places.

There were 3,214 applications last year, 3,328 in 2007, 3,352 in 2006, 3,436 in 2005 and 3,771 in 2004.

Giving a break-down of the applications, the Curia said a total of 1,159 applications had been made for 257 places in kindergarten one. Of these, there were 91 applications classified as special cases - for 50 places. There were 113 applications by siblings of pupils already in Church schools. No applications were made by Church homes, leaving 116 places for children whose names will be drawn by lot.

For Kinder Two, there were a total of 1,075 applications for 360 places. These included 128 applications for 67 places in the special cases category, 124 siblings, and two applications from Church Homes, leaving 167 places for names drawn by lot.

For Year One, there were 1,032 applications for 445 places. That included 166 applications for 86 places reserved for special cases, 126 siblings and three applications from Church homes leaving a remainder of 230.