Cambridgeshire County Council announces 94.5% of children will get into first choice primary school - lower than last year’s figures

The number of children getting into their first-choice primary school this year has dropped.

Cambridgeshire County Council announced that 94.5% of youngsters were offered a place at their preferred school for September, falling by 1.4% from last year’s figures but remaining 1.3% above the national numbers for 2024.

Some 76 pupils - equivalent to more than 1% - have been allocated places at other schools, outside of their expressed preferences, which is the second lowest number in the last four years.

The proportion of those offered a place at their first, second or third choice school has also slightly fallen – from 99.1% to 98.9%.

Offers are set to be rolled out tomorrow for the 6,457 applications that were made.

Sarah Callaghan, service director for education at the council, said: “Our admissions and place planning teams have been working hard to ensure as many Cambridgeshire children as possible are offered places at their preferred schools.

“I strongly advise parents to apply to their child’s local catchment school – this always represents the highest likelihood that they will secure their preferred place.”