Nearly all children due to start primary school in Leicestershire for the first time have secured one of their top school preferences.
Figures released today (Wednesday, April 16 – National School Place Offer Day) show that around 7,100 ( a record-breaking 99.4%) pupils have been offered one of their top three school preferences, and 99.5% one of their top five.
Out of these, more than 95% secured their first preference place. A total of 7,141 applications were received for school places starting in Leicestershire this autumn.
Jane Moore, director of children and families at Leicestershire County Council, said: “Starting school for the first time is such a key milestone and we are pleased that the majority of families who applied for primary school places here in Leicestershire will see their children going to a school of their choice.
“It’s encouraging that the percentage of children securing a first choice or preferred choice of schools remains high.
“If you are one of those families who applied and wish to accept your offer, you don’t need to do anything else.
“Our admissions team work to offer families their preferred places, but there are a small number of cases where this hasn’t been possible. In these cases, pupils will have had an offer for their nearest school with available places.”
Person:Jane Moore, director of children and families
Children who have been refused a place at a school will automatically be placed on a waiting list which will run until 31st December 2025. In this case, there no need to contact the Admissions Service - if a space becomes available at the school and your child is at the top of the list you will be contacted directly to see if you want to take up the offer of a place.
Notes
There were 7, 141 applications received this year, compared to 7,012 in 2024 of which:
- 95.07 per cent (6789) secured their first preference (94.8 per cent in 2024)
- 3.71 per cent (265) secured their second preference 3.6 per cent in 2024)
- 0.63 per cent 45) secured their third preference (0.8% in 2024)
- 0.08 per cent (6) secured their fourth preference (N/A in 2024)
- 0.03% per cent (2) secured their fifth preference (N/A in 2024)
- 99.41% per cent (7,099) secured one of their top three preferences (99 % in 2024)
NB, five preferences were offered for the first time in this application round.
The admissions process in Leicestershire adheres to central government rules and gives parents the right to have an appeal heard by an Independent Appeal Panel.
Parents who applied on paper will receive a letter and those who applied online received an email about the decision. More about applying for school places