Nearly 96 per cent of children in Kent will start their formal education at a primary school which was in their parents' top three choices.

Of the 16,600 children who applied this year, nearly 86 per cent (14,900 pupils) were offered their first choice place, 7.3 per cent (1,270 pupils) offered their second choice place and 2.7 per cent (720 pupils) offered their third choice.

Only 4 per cent of pupils (720) missed out on any of their three preferences, and had a primary school allocated by Kent County Council (KCC).

Parents were emailed at 4pm today (April 16) with details of which school they have been offered.

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

KCC’s corporate director of education Patrick Leeson said: “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.

“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.”

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There are still places available at schools across Kent, and parents can seek alternatives if they are not happy with their offers.

For more information on how to join a waiting list and/or appeal go online or phone the KCC admissions team on 0300 412121.

If you would like to speak to News Shopper about your child’s primary school places, call the news room on 01689 885702 or email josie.griffiths@london.newsquest.co.uk