More children will get a place at their first choice of primary school in Kent this year.

Parents will find out today which school their child has been allocated a place at and county education chiefs say a record number - 97% - will be offered one of their preferred primary schools.

KCC says the figure represents the highest recorded percentage achieved since co-ordinated primary admissions began.

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Of the 16,855 children receiving a school of their preference, 15,429 will get their first preference school.

That is close to 90% of children and a 2% improvement on 2016.

However, 444 children will not be offered any of the schools they applied for - but that figure represents a reduction of 162 on last year.

Of those 444 who were not offered one of their preferred schools, nearly half failed to make use of all available preferences, limiting Kent’s ability to offer them a preferred school.

Patrick Leeson, education director, said: “Kent continues to offer parents a wide selection of exceptional schools, with 91% of primary schools rated as good or outstanding according to inspectors from Ofsted.

"This allows parents to confidently name schools in their area, which has led to these record breaking figures.

"Unfortunately, each year a small minority of pupils are not offered a school of their choice.

"We do encourage families to use all the preferences available to them so that they have a better chance of securing a preferred school.

"The council will offer each of these children an alternative school.

"Many will go on to secure places of their preference through waiting lists and reallocation, and I would like to reassure parents that a specialist Kent County Council team is on hand to help them make the most of the options available to them.”

Meanwhile, in Medway, more than 97% of children will be offered a place at one of their preferred primary schools - up more than 1% on last year.

Just over 89% secured a spot at their first preference school, just over 6% at their second choice and just under 1.5% at their third.

Medway Council says 3,375 applications for Medway children have been processed, as well as 130 out of area pupils.

Cllr Andrew Mackness, Medway's portfolio holder for children's services, said: "It is wonderful to see so many children in Medway offered a place at one of their preferred schools, and such a high number at their first preference school.

"This is a really exciting time for families and I'd like to wish all children starting their education this September the very best of luck."

Parents who applied online will receive an email after 4pm today, indicating which school they have been offered. The timing of the email will depend on the email service provider.

Parents can also log in after 5pm to view the offer online.

Those who applied by post will be sent notification by first class post today.

Parents can accept their school place offers or seek alternatives via the reallocation process if they are not happy.

For more information on how to join a waiting list or appeal, go to the Kent primary school admissions website or phone the admissions team on 0300 412121.