98 per cent of children due to start primary school in London this September have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools.

Overall, 87,859 London children due to start primary school this September received an offer of a school place at one of their preferred schools – 98 per cent of the total number of applicants, according to figures published on National Primary Offer Day 2022 by the Pan London Admissions Board, the body with overall responsibility for co-ordinating school admissions in the capital.

88 per cent of the total number of London applicants – or 78,800 children – secured a place at their first preference school. This is an increase of 0.5 per cent from last year’s figures.

97 percent of the total number of London applicants – 86,712 children – were offered a place at one of their top three preferred schools, also showing an increase of 0.5 per cent from 2021 figures.

London primary schools received 89,618 applications in total this year, a 1.3 per cent decrease compared to last year. Application numbers vary across different boroughs and may be affected by a range of factors, including the decreasing birth rate which is a national trend as well as a London one, families moving due to changes in their circumstances and working patterns, and the localised effect of the UK leaving the EU in some areas.

Gail Tolley, Chair of the Pan-London Admissions Board, said:

“Starting primary school for the first time is an important milestone for every child. This year the admissions process has gone smoothly and nearly 88,000 parents will receive an offer of a preferred school place in the capital – with almost 79,000 of those being for their first preference school.

“London boroughs are working effectively with local primary schools and other partners across the capital to ensure school places are available where needed, as demand can vary even within individual boroughs. It is important that councils have the powers and flexibility to meet the needs of our youngest residents. We are committed to giving London’s children the best possible chance of getting a preferred school place and having a successful start to their education.

“I would like to thank borough admissions teams for their work over the last two years. Despite the impact of the pandemic, they have successfully allocated primary school places to the vast majority of applicants. Each London borough has an admissions team and they are ready to help parents if they have any queries.”

The Pan London Admissions Scheme ensures that parents receive a school place offer for their child at the school which is highest in their list of preferences for which they are eligible under the admissions criteria. In London, offers will be sent out by email during the evening of Tuesday 19th April 2022.