Nine out of ten children in Kent will be starting their education at their first choice primary school this year.
Kent County Council said 89.51 per cent of applicants were given their first preference, a slight rise from last year’s 89.04 per cent.
Parents found out on Monday [April 16] if their first, second or third choice had been accepted on what is known as National Offer Day.
Only 2 per cent of Kent four-year-olds will not begin a school in September that was on their top three.
These results are against a mixed national backdrop.
York was the top ranking nationally, with 94.2 per cent of children granted their first choice. In Kensington and Chelsea, the lowest, it was 68 per cent.
Overall in England there were fewer applications overall, as a population bulge moves into secondary schools.
Kent County Councillor Roger Gough, portfolio holder for education said: ‘We are pleased to see the continued improvement in figures.
‘Officers have continued to work hard to ensure that as many pupils secured one of their preferred primary schools.
‘While we are happy to announce that a record low number of pupils needed to be given an alternative school, some families will still be receiving unwelcome news today.
‘These parents can be assured that National Offer Day is just the first stage of offers and many will go on to secure places through waiting lists in the reallocation process and via appeals.
‘A specialist county council team is on hand to help parents make the most of the options available to them.’
For information on how to appeal, call the county council’s helpline on 0300 412121 or visit www.kent.gov.uk/primaryadmissions
