Ten per cent of children who applied to local primary schools for this September did not get a place at one of their top three preferred schools.

A total of 2,700 youngsters have been offered places in Merton schools to start in September this year.

School admissions figures from the Pan-London Admissions Board published yesterday show Merton Council offered 90 per cent of families a place for their child at one of their top three preferred primary schools.

This means that ten per cent of children did not get their preferred school and parents must now find alternative options.

The council said the number of children getting their first choices has increased by four per cent on last year, to 81.4 per cent, which is above the London average.

The council’s director of the children, schools and families department Yvette Stanley said: "It is great news that we have been able to offer more parents than ever before one of their top three preferred primary schools for their child to attend from this September.

"We are committed to continuing our work to ensure that every child in the borough can go to an excellent primary school near to where they live, giving them a good start in life."

She said there is still a huge demand for primary school places, but the figures show that the council’s investment in the school expansion programme, which has resulted in the creation of over 4,500 extra places since 2007, is resulting in more children being able to go to their preferred schools.

Cranmer Primary School was among those to benefit from refurbishment this year.  

Did your child get into his or her preferred school?

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