99% of children get their first choice of primary school

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99% of children have been offered a place at one of their preferred primary schools this year.

There are around 7,000 children wanting a primary school place this year, and 6,745 (95.39%) children will receive their first preference school.

This is an increase on last year’s 94.19% and 2019’s 95.02%.

A further 334 children (3.31%) have been offered their second preference, and 33 (0.47%) their third preference.

A small minority of children, 58 (0.83%), will be offered a local school that isn’t one of their three preferences.

The vast majority of parents/carers will receive an e-mail containing a secure link to their offer letter on 16 April – Click Here for further information.

Parents have until noon on May 17 2021 to lodge an appeal against a school’s decision not to offer a place.

Because of appeals and movement on the reserve list, it is usual for the percentage of first preference to increase by the time children start in September.

Martin Smith, assistant director for education, said:

“I’m delighted to see so many children getting their first choice school and this should be even better by September.”

“It’s always our intention to support as many parents as possible with their preferences, and, yet again this year, the overwhelming majority of parents have been successful in gaining admission to the school of their choice.”