TODAY, Monday 1 March, families of almost 16,400 pupils will discover the outcome of their secondary school applications.

97% (more than 19 out of every 20 children) are being offered one of their named preferences of secondary school, with 91.15% of parents being offered their 1^st or 2^nd preference.

This year, 99% of families applied online and will receive their offer by email or by logging onto the Essex County Council website.

Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “I am delighted that, once again, we have been able to offer so many pupils their preferred secondary school place.

“It has been a challenging year for young people across the county and I hope those embarking on this exciting next step enjoy their last few months at Primary and Junior School before they set out on their next academic adventure.”

We will publish breakdown of preference statistics for each school in Harlow.

Full breakdown of figures for 2021

• 82.07% of children offered 1st preference school
• 9.07% of children offered 2^nd preference school
• 3.46%of children offered 3^rd preference school 
• 1.38% of children offered 4^th preference school 
• 0.69% of children offered 5^th preference school 
• 0.30% of children offered 6^th preference school 
• 3.03 % of parents could not be offered any of their preferences and have been offered a place at the nearest school with space.

 Total number of applicants = 16, 399