NINE in 10 children have had their first offer accepted for a primary school place in Bolton, with only two per cent being offered an alternative place.
This is compared to the year before, when 88 per cent were offered their first choice, and in 2020 when 87 per cent were.
When it comes to any preference being offered, 98 per cent had theirs accepted, in comparison to 97 per cent in 2021 and 2022.
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “We are delighted that 98 per cent of children in Bolton have been offered a place at one of their preferred primary schools, with more than 91 per cent achieving their first choice.
“This is an improvement since last year.”
Only two per cent were offered an alternative offer in 2022, which is a slight improvement from last year and 2020, when it was at three per cent.
An alternative offer is usually a different offer outside of their top three offers.
The council have emphasised that despite some being offered an alternative place, that "no child will need to travel more than two miles to attend school".
Parents across the country will find out which primary school place their child(ren) have been offered today.
It is three days later than usual due to the Easter Bank Holiday.
It comes as The Bolton News revealed a couple of weeks ago, the pressures that primary and secondary schools were facing, with 23 of them oversubscribed, totalling to 165 children over capacity.
Out of the primary schools in Bolton, St James Church of England High School in Farnworth, was oversubscribed by 14 pupils, Mount St Joseph on Greenland Road was oversubscribed by five pupils, and Blackrod Church School was the most oversubscribed primary with 16 extra pupils.
The spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Every effort is made to find an appropriate place for everyone, and no child will need to travel more than two miles to attend school.
“The start of school is an exciting time and teachers and staff across the borough will be looking forward to welcoming new pupils to the classroom in September.”
For those who are unhappy with their offer, you can appeal through the school’s admission authority.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here