97 per cent of children due to start primary school in London this September have been offered a place at a preferred school.
London primary schools received 96,598 applications in total this year, a 0.08% decrease compared to last year, according to figures published on National Primary Offer Day 2019 by the Pan London Admissions Board, the body with overall responsibility for co-ordinating school admissions in the capital.
86 per cent of the total number of London applicants - or 82,632 children - secured a place at their first preference school.
96 per cent of the total number of London applicants - 92,311 children - were offered a place at one of their top three preferred schools.
Overall, 94,120 London children due to start primary school this September received an offer of a school place at one of their preferred schools - 97 per cent of the total number of applicants.
In London, 94 per cent of schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.
Sara Williams, Chair of the Pan London Admissions Board, said:
“Co-ordinating more than 96,000 applications to primary schools across 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation is a complex task. We are pleased that the vast majority of children - 97 per cent - received an offer for a Reception place at one of their preferred schools.
"In London 94 per cent of schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, which makes it very likely that parents will receive a high quality school place offer for their child.
“While the total number of primary school applications received in London this year was slightly lower than last year, pressure on different schools and local authority areas can vary. We will be keeping an eye on birth rates and patterns of population growth, but we expect demand for primary school places to continue at least at current levels and demand for secondary school places to grow considerably in the years ahead.
“London boroughs are actively working with local primary schools and other partners across the capital to ensure school places are available where needed. It is important that councils have the powers and flexibility to meet the needs of our youngest residents.
“Each London borough has an admissions team and we are ready to help parents if they have any queries.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The Pan London Admissions Board has overall responsibility for the school application co-ordination scheme in the capital. Membership includes representatives of the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services, the London Inter Authority Admissions Group and the London Grid for Learning.
Click here to read the Pan London Admissions Board FAQ and borough breakdown of figures.
Of the 2,478 applicants without a preference offer, 2,447 (2.53 per cent of the total number of applicants) will be offered an alternative school on 16 April. The remaining 31 (0.03 per cent of total applicants) cannot be offered an alternative school on 16 April because there is currently no place available within a reasonable distance of home. However, they will all be offered an alternative school as soon as places become available due to withdrawal of successful applicants who no longer require a place.