Thousands of children will find out today which primary school they have been allocated for September.

Families of youngsters across Kent and Medway are nervously awaiting the outcome of Primary School Offer Day, when local authorities across the country simultaneously release their decisions.

Kent County Council says more than nine out of every 10 children who applied to the council have been given their first choice primary school.

Of the 16,653 Kent applicants, 16,436 – or 98.7% - will receive one of their three named schools and 15,198 will be offered their first preference, a slight increase on last year.

In Medway, the council has processed applications for 3,483 children - including 146 from outside the area – with 94% being offered their first choice school.

More than 98% of children in Medway who will be starting school in September have been offered a place at one of their top three preferences.

Kent County Council’s Director of Education, Christine McInnes said: “We are pleased to be able to offer a first preference place to 91.26% of our children, demonstrating the selection of schools offered in the county.

“There may still be those who are disappointed not to be offered any of their preferences and we know this is a concerning time.

“Further allocation stages will take place before the beginning of the new school year so we would encourage parents to complete a waiting list request for any schools they still wish to be considered for.”

Parents who applied online will receive an email after 4pm today (Tuesday, April 16), indicating which school they have been given.

Families who applied to KCC can also log in after 5pm to view the offer online while first-class letters will be posted to those who did not provide an email address.

Those households unhappy with the school they have been allocated are advised to visit KCC’s website for further help and advice.

Parents and carers will have until Tuesday, April 30, 2024, to accept or refuse their child’s offer and to request to join the waiting list of another school they are interested in.

KCC says it will reallocate places from schools’ waiting lists, sending out a second round of offers, on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

For those applying to Medway Council, information about how to take the next steps in the application process will be included with each child’s offer email. If a family would like to appeal their child’s school place, says the council, the appeal form should be emailed to the school, or to Medway Council if the school is maintained by the local authority

Cllr Tracy Coombs, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Education, added: “It is fantastic that 98 per cent of Medway children have been offered a place at one of their top three preferred schools. Taking the first step into education is an exciting milestone and I want to wish every single child, and their families, the very best of luck as they start their education journey in September.

“I would also like to thank our schools and admissions team for all of their hard work. We have a fantastic range of schools across Medway, and as a council we are committed to helping children achieve their full potential.”