Majority of children get their first-choice primary school

The vast majority of children (99%) have been offered a place at one of their preferred primary schools this year.

There are around 6,781 children needing a primary school place this year, and 6,490 (95.70%) will receive their first preference school. This is similar to last year’s impressive 95.23% and 2022’s 95.75%.

A further 217 children (3.20%) have been offered their second preference, and 9 (0.13%) their third preference. A small minority of children, 65 (0.97%), will be offered a local school that isn’t one of their three preferences.

Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “I’m delighted to see so many children getting their first-choice school. It’s always our intention to support as many parents as possible with their preferences, and, yet again, the overwhelming majority of families have been successful in gaining admission to the school of their preference this year.”

The vast majority of parents or carers will receive an e-mail containing a secure link to their offer letter on 16 April. Find out more about school admissions.

Parents have until noon on 14 May 2024 to lodge an appeal against a school’s decision not to offer a place. If they return the appeal by the deadline, it will be heard before the start of the school year. If it is received late, it will still be heard, but this may be in September.

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.