Cheshire East Council has contacted thousands of parents and carers on national primary school offer day (16 April), with 93 per cent receiving their first preference school.

More than 4,000 applications were received from parents and carers whose children will be starting primary school in September 2024.

Ninety-three per cent of Cheshire East residents have received an offer of their preferred school this year, with around 98.5 per cent receiving an offer from their three preferences.

Cheshire East Council, like all councils, has a statutory duty to make sure there are enough school places available to local children and young people. The council follows the government's school admissions code, which ensures that all school places for maintained schools and academies are allocated and offered in an open and fair way.

The council has advised that when parents and carers receive their offer – they do have a number of options:

· Accept the school place – the deadline for this is 30 April 2024

· If their child has not been offered a place at a preferred school, they can ask to go on one or more school waiting lists – parents are encouraged to do this by 30 April 2024 but you can still join until the end of December

· If they are unhappy with the offer they have received, they can make an appeal before the deadline of 14 May 2024

Parents are advised to accept their child's offer even if they would prefer a different school until they have confirmed alternative plans for their child's education.

Councillor Carol Bulman, lead member for children and families at Cheshire East Council, said: "Primary school offer day is a key date in the calendar for children and families across the borough, with many parents keen for their child's first full-time experience in education to take place at their desired school.

"We appreciate the importance of this for parents, and are pleased to have once again delivered great results for our children in Cheshire East. We have a selection of Ofsted rated good or outstanding schools in the borough, something which we are proud of, and which is a testament to the commitment of our school teaching and support staff.

"We know that Cheshire East is a great place to live as well as learn, and I'd like to thank the commitment and dedication of our school admissions team at the council to enable our young children to thrive.

"We will continue to work hard to ensure all children have the right education to meet their needs, adapting support as children and young people progress and their requirements change.

"I'd like to wish all pupils starting primary education the very best for the next academic year, and hope that they enjoy their new schools as they take the leap into their reception year."

For help and advice, parents can visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schooladmissions, the website of their preferred school, e-mail [email protected] or call 0300 123 5012 (option 1).