More Brighton and Hove children offered first choice primary school

The number of Brighton and Hove parents allocated a place for their children at their first choice primary school has risen.

The increase has been managed despite a rise of more than 7 per cent in the number of applications for Reception Year places from 2,707 last year to 2,899 for September.

Brighton and Hove City Council said that 2,399 children have been given a place at the school preferred by their parents compared with 2,153 last year.

The percentage has risen to 82.8 per cent from 79.7 per cent.

The number of second preferences also rose from 201 (7.4 per cent) to 251 (8.7 per cent).

At the same time the number of third preferences barely changed. It stood at 102 last year (3.8 per cent) and this year it was 103 (3.6 per cent).

The number of children being “directed” or sent to a school that their parents did not choose has fallen from 199 (7.4 per cent) to 146 (5 per cent).

Children who are “directed” to a school are allocated the nearest school to their home with spare places.

Several schools in Brighton, Hove and Portslade have squeezed in extra classes over the past few years to cater for the bulging population.

The pressure on primary school places is expected to continue to grow over the next few years.

The council’s cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Sue Shanks, said: “Over the last three years we’ve worked with our schools to create 225 new permanent reception age places to cater for rising demand. I’m delighted that the result is more satisfied parents.”