MORE than 98 per cent of Hampshire families have been offered their first primary school choice.

Today (Tuesday) 98.4 per cent, 14,350 families, have received the good news that their children will be attending one of their three school choices. For Year 3 admissions, there was a 98.7 per cent success rate (7,777 out of 7,883).

And for Year R admissions 92.1 per cent (13,444) have been offered their top choice of school, rising to 97.1 per cent (7,656) for Year 3 admissions.

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “As anticipated, there has been particularly high demand in some areas this year.

“We have worked with schools to increase their capacity, including a planned programme of school expansions. This has ensured that every Hampshire child has a school place, with the vast majority of children attending their local school.”

And in Wiltshire, 98 per cent have been offered their first choice, 4,790 families, received their first primary school preference.

Additionally 98.4 per cent of the county have been offered one of their three top primary school choices.

Terence Herbert, Wiltshire Council executive director for children and education, said: “Preparing your child to start their school days is a big milestone for every family and I’m pleased that once again we are able to provide so many with one of their preferences.

“I’d like to congratulate our hard working officers for their meticulous planning which ensures that we have sufficient places across the county for all our pupils.”

The right to an appeal is open to anyone who has not received an offer at one of their preferred schools.

The deadline for lodging an appeal for a voluntary controlled or community school is Monday, May 13.