MORE than 100 children starting school this year failed to get a place at any one of the three schools requested.

But on the whole national offer day brought good news for the majority of parents with 97 per cent — up one per cent on last year — getting their child into one of the schools they had asked for. This marks another year-on-rise.

The number of applications for a primary school place were up by 97 to 3,913.

Some 87.53 per cent of children will take up a place at the first choice school.

In addition 7.03 per cent were allocated their second choice of school, while 2.20 per cent have been awarded their third preference.

But three per cent — a total of 117 youngsters — have as yet received none of the preferences asked for.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We work as hard as possible to offer parents one of their three preferred schools and this year 97 per cent of applicants were awarded one of their choices.

"Every parent who submitted an application will be receiving an offer of a school place - no parent who has applied has been left without a place for their child and where we are unable to offer parents one of their top three preferences we have been able to offer an alternative.

"We urge parents to apply online for school places and we encourage them to study the accompanying guidance to ensure the process is as quick and as simple as possible for them."

Parents unhappy with their allocation can appeal.
The figures were released as The Bolton News revealed that 38 primary schools are full or above capacity and are accommodating 218 extra pupils.
 Bolton Council is embarking on a multi-million pound expansion programme to increase places at primary schools in Breightmet, Bromley Cross, Tonge and Halliwell.