Almost all Shropshire pupils at first choice primary school

In Shropshire 95 per cent of youngsters were allocated to their first choice primary school, while in Telford & Wrekin Council, the figure was 91 per cent.

The news comes as today marks the first ever national allocation day for primary school places, where parents will be told which primary school their children have been accepted into.

Before this, each council was free to determine the date when parents learned of their child's allocated primary school, which led to a wide variation of allocation dates across the country.

Shropshire Council offered a place to 95.8 per cent of applicants at their first preference school, while a further 98.5 per cent of applicants have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools.

The number of parents or carers making their primary school application through the council's online application system has also increased at 98.3 per cent.

The council also said the number of children requesting a reception place in the area has continued at a consistent level over recent years.

Pleased

Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council cabinet member for children's services, said: "We are very pleased at the high percentage of pupils being able to attend their first choice primary school. It's also pleasing to see such a high percentage of parents and carers using the online service to apply, as this makes the whole process much quicker and easier for everyone."

Meanwhile, in Telford & Wrekin 91.6 per cent of children were able to go to their first preferred school, while 98 per cent went to one of their top three preferences.

Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: "Overall, there is sufficient capacity within the borough and there are schools with places still available in each geographic area."

With the introduction of a national allocation day for primary school places, the Department for Education will collect data from English local authorities to show the number of parental preferences met. Measuring the allocations has been standard practice for secondary schools for years but, this is the first time primary school place allocation has been collected in this way.

Meanwhile, it emerged today that across the country parents are picking nurseries in the hope of securing their child a place at a favoured primary school, while others try to gain an advantage by winning over teachers with friendliness, a poll suggests.

It comes as other research, by Netmums, found some children are effectively starting school aged two in the hope primaries give preference to toddlers who attend their nursery.