MORE than 98 per cent of Hampshire children have been offered a place at one of the secondary schools preferred by their parents.

The county council has revealed that of the 14,351 applications for school places received, 92 per cent will get to study at their first choice. This was an increase of 370 applications on 2018.

Pupils who did not secure a place at one of their chosen schools have instead been allocated a place at a school near to where they live - where spaces are available - the authority said.

Broken down, 13,273 (92.49 per cent) got their first choice schools, 666 (4.46 per cent) got their second choice, 144 (1 per cent) their third choice, and 268 (1,87 per cent) were allocated places.

Nevertheless, the council has confirmed parents had the right to appeal and their child’s name will be added to the waiting list for their preferred schools.

Places do become available if parents change their mind, or families move home, civic bosses add.

Education chief Councillor Stephen Reid said: "I am pleased to see that once again we have been able to offer a very high number of pupils a place at one of their preferred secondary school choices. Given the size of the county and increasing demand for school places, this is a significant achievement.

"Although pupil numbers continue to rise, we can assure parents our investment in schools to provide the additional places needed is keeping pace, thanks to our strong track record in planning for the future.

"I fully appreciate there will be some disappointment for those parents who did not secure a place at one of their chosen schools, but every child whose parents applied for a place at a Hampshire secondary school has been offered one.

"More than 90 per cent of Hampshire schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted and there are always individual schools with exceptionally-high demand, which is a credit to the high standard of teaching at these schools."

Primary school applications are now being processed and offers are due to go out to parents on April 16.