Today is National Offer Day and has seen 91.2 per cent of Barking and Dagenham parents given their first preference primary school, placing the east London borough second in London.

The figures released by the Pan London Admissions Board show that Barking and Dagenham has, again, smashed the London average of 84.98 per cent. 

The deadline to apply for a primary school place was 15 January 2020 and figures show Barking and Dagenham Council received 3467 applications, just under 200 more than last year.

The number of parents securing an offer from a preferred school in Barking and Dagenham was 98.41 per cent, again beating the capital’s average of 97.05 per cent.

Councillor Evelyn Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement said: “In such a challenging time for us all, these results will bring happiness to a large number of our parents. Securing your preferred school place for your child is a massive moment for any parent so I am thrilled that, once again, we have been able to do this for the majority.

“Each year, we see an increase in the number of applications we are receiving for primary school places, so it’s pleasing to see that, once again, we have performed remarkably well compared to the rest of London. I would like to personally thank the Schools Admissions staff for doing their best to meet the aspirations we have for all of our borough’s young people.” 

The deadline for parents to accept their places is Tuesday 30 April.