Vast majority of primary pupils get preferred school placement in Burnley, Pendle and Ribble Valley

More than 98.7% of Lancashire children starting primary school in September have been offered a place at one of their three preferred primary schools.

In total, 12,037 children have been offered primary places in the county. Confirmatory emails have been sent to families today that applied online and an offer letter has been mailed to those who submitted a paper application.

It's expected that the number of children securing a place at a preferred school will increase as waiting lists are operated and as the result of successful appeals.

In the meantime, parents who would like further advice have been given contact telephone numbers and email addresses for the three area School Admissions Teams.

Parents can also find information on the Lancashire County Council website, along with an explanation of the appeals process, if families have not been allocated a school that works for them.

Jacqui Old CBE, executive director of Education and Children's Services, said: “Thousands of youngsters will be attending the school that is their parents' first preference.

“Our staff have worked very hard to ensure all applicants receive an offer and know that the overwhelming majority of parents will be happy with the school place they have received.

“We know that a very small number of pupils have not been allocated one of their preferred schools, and where this is the case, we would encourage parents to talk to their local School Admissions Team about the options open to them.”