ALMOST 16,000 parents and carers across Essex will find out the outcome of their primary school applications today (Monday 17 April). 

Out of a total of 15,923 applications received, 14,455 pupils who are due to start in Reception Year in September 2023 have been offered their parent or carer’s first preference of primary school.

This is 90.78 per cent of the total eligible cohort and is an increase on the 89.51 per cent who obtained their first preference last year. Another 5.52 per cent of children were offered their parents’ second preference of school.

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “We are pleased that we have been able to offer so many parents their first preference of primary school this year. 

“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.”

Those who applied online will receive confirmation by email or by visiting the Essex County Council website.

A full breakdown of figures for 2023 is below, along with last year’s figures for comparison:

2023

• First preference school – 90.78 per cent
• Second preference school – 5.52 per cent
• Third preference school – 1.75 per cent
• Fourth preference school – 0.45 per cent
• 1.5 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.

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.

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.