Nearly 80 per cent of all pupils applying to Kent’s secondary schools have been offered their first choice.

The anxious wait is over for more than 16,000 families - with letters from Kent County Council dropping onto doormats on Tuesday, offering children a secondary school place for September. Families who applied online were due to be sent an email after 4pm Monday.

Out of the 16,277 Kent children applying, 78 per cent received their first preference school, compared with 70 per cent last year.

More than 11 per cent were allocated their second choice school.

Meanwhile, more than 95 per cent were offered a school they named on their application form – an improvement on last year's figure.

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For the first time this year, parents saw the results of their children’s 11-plus Kent Assessment before choosing their preferred schools. It was also the first year parents could include a fourth preference.

This is the third year parents have been able to apply for a secondary school place online. More than 5,460 parents used this online system, which is double the number since KCC revamped its online school application system during 2007.

Cabinet member for education operations, resources and skills, Cllr Mark Dance, said: "It is a huge logistical exercise to make sure that the offers go out on time and it is pleasing that 95 per cent of parents have been offered a school of their choice.

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"The change to equal preference last year made life simpler for parents and now, with the added benefit of parents having assessment information before they choose their schools, they are in a position to make informed decisions about their school preferences."

What happens if you want to appeal?

By 26 March, parents should have:

• let the school which has been offered know if the place is to be accepted;

• asked to be put on the waiting list for a school they would like;

• let KCC know if a school place which has been offered is not being accepted;

• made any appeal for a school which has not been offered.

Parents can appeal for a place at any of the schools named on their application form. They must check whether the appeal paperwork should be sent back to KCC or to the relevant school’s governing body. Details of how to do this are included in the offer letter. Appeals are organised by either KCC or the school, but all will be heard by independent panels.

A specialist team of KCC call centre staff is also on hand to help parents with any queries they may have. The telephone number is: 01622 696565. Or they can speak to a Choice Adviser, who will be able to offer independent advice on 01622 694073 or 01622 694065.