April 16, 2015 9.49 am This story is over 107 months old

Over 90% of Lincolnshire children offered first choice of primary school

School places: Over 90% of Lincolnshire children have been offered their primary school of choice.

Over 90% of children have been given a place at their primary school of choice through the admissions system this year, despite an increase in the number of requests for the more popular schools.

Along with the rest of the country, Lincolnshire has experienced high numbers of families wanting their children to start school in September.

Some 7,790 required a school place this year, the largest year group since the local authority started co-ordinating primary school intake admissions in 2007.

In 2014, 7,649 children needed places at local primary schools.

This year, 93% of Lincolnshire children will receive an offer of a place at their first preference school, on par with last year (93.6%).

Because of appeals and movement on the reserve list, Lincolnshire County Council say it is normal for the percentage of first preferences to increase by the time children start in September.

Although the county council has offered a school place to every child whose parents applied by the deadline, 140 children (or just 1.8%) will be offered a local school that isn’t one of their preferences.

Parents can pick up their offer using the online system from April 16. The vast majority apply online.

Parents have until May 15 to lodge an appeal if they are unhappy with the refusal of a school place.

If they return the appeal form by the deadline, it will be heard before the end of term – if it is received late it will still be heard but this may be in September.

Debbie Barnes, Director of Children’s Services, said: “I am delighted to see so many children getting their first school of preference and this should be even better by September.

“It is always our intention to support as many parents as possible with their preferences. Every year the overwhelming majority of parents are successful in gaining admission to the school of their choice.”