A total of 6,441 Gloucestershire children will be offered a primary school place for September tomorrow, Friday.

Of these 98 percent will be admitted to one of their preferred schools, up from 97 per cent last year. And 91 percent will receive a place at their first preference school, up from 87 per cent in 2020.

Chris Spencer, director of children’s services at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “It’s that time of year when our young people find out where the next stage of their education will be.

"Starting primary school is a big step and we wish all pupils well for this next stage of their journey.

“We aim to ensure that as many children as possible are able to attend a school of their choice and we’re pleased to have been able to achieve this for the vast majority.”

Parents and carers who applied online will receive an email confirming their school place which they will be invited to accept online.

Those who did not apply online will receive a letter including the place on offer and the reasons why. This letter is specific to each pupil and contains an explanation for the decision made.

Parents are encouraged to accept their place online or return their reply forms as soon as possible, and have until April 23 to either accept their school place or request an alternative school.

If parents ask for their child's school place to be reconsidered, they will be placed on the waiting list for their preferred schools. If places then become available as some parents change their preferences over the coming months, they will be offered a place in line with the school’s admission policy.

Parents unhappy with their initial offer are encouraged to keep their place as this will ensure that, whatever the outcome of the reconsideration, their child will have a place at a school in September.

The county council will write to parents with the result of the reconsideration after May 14 and parents will have until the May 21 to reply. Those who are still not satisfied with their given school will be advised of the appeals procedure.

The admission criteria and more information about waiting lists for every school are available at gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions