More than 94% of children will receive an offer from one of their four preferred secondary schools after more families than ever before applied for a place in Kent.

Families awaiting the offer of a secondary school place will be told later today which school they have been allocated.

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Both Kent County Council and Medway Council will release offers this afternoon for children due to start Year 7 in September.

Those who completed an online application form will receive their decision via an offer email sometime after 4pm.

Those who submitted a paper form will have decision letters posted by first class post also today.

A total of 21,680 parents and carers have applied for a place for their child in a Kent school, which is an increase of 949 since 2018 and an additional 207 applications compared to 2019.

Despite the increase in numbers, 14,070 pupils (77.48% of those in Kent) will be offered a place at their first preference school, while 2,129 children (11.73% of the Kent cohort) will be offered a place at the school listed as their second preference.

Richard Long, KCC’s Cabinet for Education and Skills, said: “My colleagues and I fully understand how disappointed parents, carers and children will be if they have not been offered a place at one of their preferred schools, however, there are still a number of options open to them.

"I would first advise families visit the school they have been offered a place at and speak to the head teacher and staff before making a decision as they may well find the school is suitable for their child."

Both KCC and Medway Council strongly advise families accept the place they have been offered regardless of whether they are happy with the decision.

Those parents looking to go on a waiting list for another school or appeal the decision made can do so whilst still accepting the place at the school given to them.

As there's no guarantee that any appeal will be successful, and accepted places can always be declined and released at a later date, both councils strongly advise families take the place they have been offered to guarantee their children can start secondary school in September 2020 whilst exploring other options simultaneously.

Cllr Long said he also expects 'considerable movement' on waiting lists at Kent schools in the coming weeks and months.

He explained: "Families should also request to join the waiting list of any school they want to continue to be considered for by Monday, March 16.

"We will hold a second round of offers on Wednesday, April 22 for any spaces that become available.

"There is likely to be considerable movement on school waiting lists between now and September.

"Finally, parents can appeal direct to the admissions authority of any school who could not offer their child a place."

• For more details from KCC about the offer process and what to do if you haven't been given the school of your choice, click here

• Families living in Medway can learn more about their next available steps here