MORE than nine out of ten children starting primary school this September will be offered their first preference.

West Sussex County Council’s admissions team handled 8,842 primary applications this year.

A total of 91.2 per cent of those children will be offered their first preference school, with 98.7 per cent offered one of their top three preferences.

The admissions team also managed 1,444 applications for children transferring from infant to junior school.

Of those, 100 per cent will be offered one of their three preferences, with 99.9 per cent offered their first top choice.

Nigel Jupp, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for learning and skills, said: “It is very good news that once again the vast majority of West Sussex children who are starting school this September have been offered their preferred primary school.

“Our schools offer great support to children starting in reception and families can now begin to plan for this big and exciting step.

“There will of course be a small number of families who did not get the school they had hoped for, and I would strongly advise them to get in touch with our admissions team who are on hand to talk through their options.”

While most West Sussex children secured a place at their first preference, this is not always possible where a school receives more applications than places available. When this happens, places are offered using the school’s oversubscription criteria.

Where the council is unable to offer families one of their preferred schools, they will allocate a place at the catchment school where possible or if that is full, at the next nearest school to their home address.

The council’s admissions staff are available to speak to parents and carers who have not been offered the school they were hoping for and can advise on the options available.