Almost 99% of Lancashire children will go to one of their preferred primary schools this September

Figures for primary school admissions show that nearly 99% of pupils have been successful with one of their preferences. 91.47% will get their first preference, 5.83 % will go to schools which were their second choice, while 1.44% will attend their third preference school. 1.26% have been allocated a place at other schools.

Careful planning and management of the required number of school places means that the vast majority of four-year-olds will be lining up in the playground at one of their preferred schools.

Edwina Grant OBE, Lancashire County Council's executive director for education and children's services, said: "This is an exciting but anxious time of year for parents, as they find out where their child will be starting school.

"Careful planning means that nearly 99% of pupils have been allocated a place at one of the schools they preferred, with the majority getting a place at the school they wanted the most. Importantly, once again we've been able to offer every child in Lancashire a school place.

"School places are allocated fairly and objectively and every application is agreed upon using the criteria which have been agreed for that school.

"However, I know it can be very disappointing for parents if their child is one of the few who don't get one of their preferences, and our local admissions teams will be happy to give information and advice."

This year, 95% of applications were completed online.

A total of 12,854 children have received primary school place offers this year.

Parents will receive details about who to contact for advice and information on school admissions and appeals in the offer letter or email they receive.

Appeals are heard locally and those for Lancashire primary schools will take place during the summer term.

From Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, parents can also call 0300 123 6707.