Every Merton family who applied for a primary school reception class place has been offered one, for the academic year due to start this September.

Figures released for National Primary Offer Day reveal that in Merton 80 per cent of applicants from the borough have been offered a reception place at their first choice of primary school, and 92 per cent of applicants received an offer of a place at one of their top three schools.

Overall 95 per cent of Merton children, for which applications were made for the borough’s reception classes, have been offered a place at a school favoured by their family – which is a slight increase on last year.

Merton’s primary schools received 2525 applications from Merton residents this year, figures published for National Primary Offer Day 2020 show. Families across Merton are to be given the news this evening on the primary place allocations, which are co-ordinated for the London Boroughs by the Pan London Admissions Board.

Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Schools and Adult Education, Councillor Eleanor Stringer said:

“It’s currently an extremely challenging time for families, as they strive to keep their loved ones safe and well during this period of unprecedented social upheaval and anxiety due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak.

“This is why we’re particularly pleased to be able to give so many families the good news reception class places have been secured for all Merton children who would like them. Once again the majority of applicants for our reception class places will be able to send their children to a school of their choice, when the next academic year begins.

“Starting school is such a wonderful milestone in every child’s life which is why we’re so proud to be able to offer a high quality education for all Merton families.”

Online applicants will be able to view the outcome of their application on the evening of Thursday 16 April. Letters will be sent to applicants who applied using a paper form on the same day.

The online outcome and the letter will give instructions on how families can accept or decline any place they have been offered.

For more information on primary school place offers and the procedures for waiting lists for schools, visit:

www.merton.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools/admissions/primary/offers-and-waiting-lists

ENDS