MORE than 94 per cent of children were placed into their top pick secondary school.

In total, 97.44 per cent of children were offered a place at one of their top three schools - leaving 2.56 per cent not so lucky.

The proportion of applicants receiving their first preference is up on last year, according to the figures, with 94.18 per cent receiving their first choice compared to 93.5 per cent.

Overall, the figures show 97.44 per cent of applicants being offered a place at one of their top three secondary school preferences, a slight decrease on last year’s figure of 97.5.

Parents who applied for places online will receive the outcome by email today. Those who applied using paper forms will receive theirs by post in the coming days.

Councillor Faye Purbrick, cabinet member for education and transformation, said: “It’s great to see more families being offered places at their first-choice school, and so many being offered one of their preferences.

“We have invested a great deal into school buildings to make sure we have the spaces in the right places to meet the preferences of as many children and parents as possible and we will continue to do this.

“Processing more than 4,500 applications and matching children to their preferences is a real challenge and I’d like to thank all the staff involved. I wish all the children moving on to secondary school all the best as they start the next chapter of their education.”

From 4,535 applications received this year, figures show:

• 1st preference met – 94.18 per cent (4271 applications)

• 2nd preference – 2.8 per cent (127 applications)

• 3rd preference – 0.46 per cent (21 applications)

Parents/carers of children not offered one of their top three secondary school preferences can appeal the decision. More information about the appeal process can be found at somerset.gov.uk/education-learning-and-schools/choosing-a-school/

Parents who have applied for places for children starting school in September, or moving from infant to junior or first to middle school, will receive their outcomes on April 16.