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

London primary schools received 97,353 applications in total this year, a 0.78 per cent increase compared to last year, according to figures published on National Primary Offer Day 2020 by the Pan London Admissions Board, the body with overall responsibility for co-ordinating school admissions in the capital.

85 per cent of the total number of London applicants – or 82,734 children – secured a place at their first preference school.

95 percent of the total number of London applicants – 92,646 children – were offered a place at one of their top three preferred schools.

Overall, 94,477 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.

Gail Tolley, spokesperson for the Pan London Admissions Board and Strategic Lead – Children and Young People at Brent Council, said:

“Co-ordinating more than 97,000 applications to primary schools across 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation is always a complex task – and this year the coronavirus pandemic has put even more pressure on boroughs.
“Thanks to the hard work of our admissions teams, we can reassure families that the process has gone smoothly and the vast majority of children – 97 per cent – will receive an offer for a Reception place at one of their preferred schools.

“94 per cent of London’s schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, making it highly likely that children in the capital will start their education at a top quality school.

“London boroughs are actively working 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.

“Each London borough has an admissions team and we are ready to help parents if they have any queries.”

In London, families receive their child’s school place offer during the evening of National Offer Day.