Nearly every child applying for a London primary school place has been offered a school of their choice, new figures reveal, with the capital’s complex admissions system matching national success rates despite intense competition.
Data published on National Offer Day shows 98.3% of London children due to start primary school this September received an offer from one of their preferred schools – virtually identical to the 98.6% national average for England.
The achievement is particularly notable given London families face the most competitive admissions landscape in the country, with parents able to list up to six schools compared to just three in most other regions and pupils competing across 33 boroughs rather than single local authorities.
A total of 79,256 children secured places at schools their families wanted, with 88.4% receiving their first preference – a slight increase of 0.5 percentage points from last year’s figures.
Jon Abbey, Chair of the Pan-London Admissions Board, said: “The Pan-London Admissions Scheme continues to ensure that school places across the capital are allocated openly and fairly, taking into account available places and eligibility criteria at each school.”
The scheme, now in its 16th year, has transformed the application process from a chaotic system where parents juggled multiple applications across different boroughs and waited months for responses, to a single coordinated offer delivered on the same evening.
Five boroughs achieved first preference rates above 93%, with Barking & Dagenham leading at 95.32%, followed by Hillingdon (94.57%) and Enfield (93.57%). Bromley saw 98.7% of children offered one of their top four choices.
Tasnia Kashem, a mother of two in Tower Hamlets, was among those celebrating on Thursday evening. Her youngest daughter secured a place at Globe Primary School, her first choice.
“I’m excited for my daughter to start reception,” Kashem said. “I wasn’t stressed – I was fairly confident she would be awarded a space.”
Kashem chose Globe Primary School over her closer local school because of its Outstanding Ofsted rating and diverse intake.
“Globe Primary School seems to be more multicultural with children from a diverse background,” she said.
“I value the importance of children being exposed to a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and perspectives from an early age. This helps to encourage inclusivity, confidence and social development.”
Total applications fell 3.5% to 80,658, reflecting London’s falling birth rate and housing affordability pressures prompting families to leave the capital. However, six boroughs bucked the trend with slight increases in applications.
The declining competition means parents now face better odds than at any point in the last decade, with 97% of children offered a place at one of their top three preferences.
Parents who didn’t receive their first choice have been automatically placed on waiting lists, with places typically moving between now and September as families relocate or accept alternative offers. All families also have the right to appeal admissions decisions.
Offers were sent by email on the evening of Thursday 16 April, with parents required to accept or decline places by 30 April.
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