by Jenni Horn

More than 97% of children have been offered a place at one of their preferred infant schools.

Parents were sent letters on Friday confirming at which school their child will start this September.

According to Medway Council, 97.04% of families have received a place at one of their four named preferences for Year R admissions and 88.93% have had an offer of a place at their first choice school.

The admission figures also reveal 100% of Medway pupils have received an offer at one of their preferred junior schools, with 99.58% gaining a place at their first choice.

Applications for primary school places opened in November last year and parents had until January 15 this year to submit their four school choices to the council.

The council's student services team dealt with admissions for a total of 4,022 Medway children and more than 125 children from outside the area.

This year, more than 72% of families submitted their preferences for reception places via the internet, using the council's online application form - up from just over 45 per cent in the previous year and just 2% in 2010.

Almost 67% of families applied for junior school places online this year, compared to 35.54% in 2011 and just 2% in 2010.

Cllr Les Wicks, Medway Council's portfolio holder for children's services, said: "I'm delighted to see so many families in Medway have been offered a place at one of their named schools and such a high number at their first choice school.

"With 99% of families receiving their first choice junior school - one of the highest rates in the country - and almost 90% getting an offer of a place at their first choice reception school, the vast majority of Medway families will have got the outcomes they wanted.

"Starting school is a real milestone for children and their families as well as an incredibly exciting time and I'd like to wish all the families and children the best of luck come September."

Did your child get one of their preferred choices for infant or junior school? Let us know by emailing medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk, or calling 01634 227803.