MORE than 16,000 parents and carers in Essex will discover the outcome of their primary school applications today (Tuesday 19 April), with those who applied online getting confirmation by email or via the Essex County Council (ECC) website.

Out of a total of 16,067 applications that were received on time, 14,382 pupils who are due to start in Reception Year in September 2022 have been offered their parent or carer’s first preference of primary school.

This equates to 89.51 per cent of the total eligible cohort and is equivalent to the 89.75 per cent who obtained their first preference last year. Another 6.45 per cent of children were offered their parent’s second preference of school.

Cllr Tony Ball, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “We continue to invest in creating additional primary school capacity so that as many parents and carers as possible receive their first preference of school for their child. I am pleased that this year we have again been able to offer thousands of first preference places. I would like to wish every child starting primary school this year the very best of luck for an exciting school year ahead.”

A full breakdown of figures for 2022 is below, along with last year’s figures for comparison:

2022

• First preference school – 89.51 per cent
• Second preference school – 6.45 per cent
• Third preference school – 1.54 per cent
• Fourth preference school – 0.50 per cent
• 2 per cent of pupils could not be offered one of their parent’s preferred schools and have been offered a place at the nearest school with a place available.

2021

• First preference school – 89.75 per cent
• Second preference school – 5.94 per cent
• Third preference school – 1.93 per cent
• Fourth preference school – 0.70 per cent
• 1.68 per cent of pupils could not be offered one of their parent’s preferred schools and have been offered a place at the nearest school with a place available.

The county council continues to invest significantly in creating new school places to meet demand now and in the future. More information about school place planning in Essex is available here: https://www.essex.gov.uk/school-organisation-and-place-planning/school-organisation-and-place-planning-service