96% of Children Offered First Choice Primary School in Bedford Borough

Children in Bedford Borough were once again far more likely to be offered a place at their first choice primary school than they were elsewhere across the country on 'national offer day'.

With Press Association analysis based on figures from a majority of councils indicating that the local authority average for first choice offers was 88%, the proportion of Bedford Borough 4 year olds who have been offered a place at their first choice school in September has risen again to a massive 96%. Meanwhile, over 99% of children were offered a place at one of their three preferred schools, a figure again well ahead of the national average.

The rise in the numbers offered places at their chosen schools comes despite a significant rise in pupil numbers, with a 19% rise in the number of applications for primary school places since 2010.

The figures are further evidence of the success of Bedford Borough Council's school investment programme under Mayor Dave Hodgson, which has seen the authority stay ahead of population growth and avert the pupil places crisis seen commonly elsewhere in recent years.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "I am delighted that we have again seen an increase in the number of children getting their first choice of primary school place. The Council has worked to increase capacity in our school system with 2 new schools opened this academic year and the expansion of 4 schools from September 2018. This has helped ensure we are ready for the increasing numbers of children heading to school."