Nearly 96% of children across Kent will start their formal education in 2015 at a primary school named by their parents on their application.

That figure – 16,691 children in all – includes 14,943 who were offered their first preference, up by 427 compared with last year.

This takes the percentage of first-choice placements up to nearly 86%, while the number of second-choices is up to 7.3% and the number of allocations by KCC down by 72 to 4.16%

The total number of applications has increased for the eighth consecutive year to 17,415 – a rise of 321 from 2014.

Patrick Leeson, KCC’s Corporate Director of Education, said: “Our schools admissions team has been working hard, as usual, to ensure that as many pupils as possible get a school from among their preferred choices and we are pleased to see that the number of both first and second choices has increased.

“However, we will not lose sight of the fact that four per cent of pupils have not been given a school from their preferences.

“While many will secure places through waiting lists and reallocation, I am aware that this will be a difficult time and we will do all we can to offer a good outcome.

“Local authorities across England face significant challenges because of a lack of primary school places. In Kent, however, the combination of good forecasting, careful planning, and close working with schools means we are able to sustain a high proportion of children starting at a school of their preference.

“We are also creating hundreds of additional places – both for the start of the academic year 2015/16 and from September 2016.

“We also continue to see improvements in the quality of Kent primary schools with more than three quarters of Kent Primary schools rated as good or outstanding, according to inspectors from Ofsted.”

Parents who applied on line will receive an email after 4pm today (Thursday, 16 April), indicating which school they have been offered; the timing of the email will depend on the email service provider.

Parents can also log in after 5pm to view the offer online. Those who applied by post will be sent notification by first class post today.

Parents can accept their school place offers or seek alternatives if they are not happy with their allocation. Despite the increase in application numbers, there are still places available at schools across Kent.

This is a direct result of measures taken by the council to manage capacity in line with demand. 

For more information on how to join a waiting list and/or appeal go to:www.kent.gov.uk/primaryadmissions or phone the admissions team on 03000 412121.