PARENTS in Reading are overwhelmingly offered their first preference of schools when applying for their children, new figures show.
Brighter Futures for Children, the children’s serviced provider on behalf of Reading Borough Council, has released new data examining how many parents received offers for places at their schools of preference.
Of the 1,727 applications received by the organisation this year, 91% were able to be given their first preference of primary schools for the coming academic year.
This represents a 2% increase in last year’s figure, and means fewer than 1 in 10 children will get places at schools other than the first preference.
The figures also showed that 98% of prospective pupils were going to a school in their top three preferences.
Transfers from infant to junior schools were needed for 132 pupils, with 97% of those who applied on time receiving their first preference.
Only nine were offered their fourth preferences, and only 26 were offered choices outside of their preferences.
The number of overall applicants was also down this year, shrinking from 1,844 in 2022 to 1,727 pupils.
All primary school pupils in the borough have now been secured for a place.
Brian Grady, Director of Education at BFfC, said: “I am delighted we have been able to offer almost all Reading families a place at one of their top three preferred primary schools this year.
“We have also worked hard to make sure a place was found for every child whose parents applied for a primary school place in Reading.
“We send our best wishes to all the children who will be experiencing the excitement of starting in their primary school this September.”
