98% get a preferred primary school place
98% of children due to start primary school in London this September have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools.
Overall, 83,796 London children due to start primary school this September received an offer of a school place at one of their preferred schools, 98% of the total number of applicants, according to figures published on National Primary Offer Day 2024 by the Pan London Admissions Board, the body with overall responsibility for co-ordinating school admissions in the capital.
89% of the total number of London applicants, or 76,064 children, secured a place at their first preference school. This is an increase of 0.6% from last year’s figures, while 97% of the total number of London applicants, 82,960 children, were offered a place at one of their top three preferred schools, also showing an increase of 0.1% from 2023 figures.
London primary schools received 85,336 applications in total this year, a 2.2% decrease compared to last year. Application numbers vary across boroughs and are affected by a number of reasons, including the falling birth rate across London. Other important factors impacting application numbers include migration, such as families moving due to changes in their circumstances and working patterns, along with the localised effect of the UK leaving the EU in some areas.
