Today is National Offer Day and sees 95.52 per cent (2,918 pupils) of parents in the borough given their first preference, placing Barking and Dagenham second in London.

The figures released by the Pan London Admissions Board show that Barking and Dagenham has, again, smashed the London average of 88.57 per cent. 

The deadline to apply for a primary school place was 15 January 2023 and figures show Barking and Dagenham Council received 3,055 applications.

The number of parents securing an offer from a preferred school in Barking and Dagenham was 99.08 per cent (3,024), again beating the capital’s average of 98.02 per cent.

Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said: “It’s very important for parents, especially during the difficult financial times we’re all going through, to secure their preferred school place for their children. I am very pleased that, once again, Barking and Dagenham was able to offer that to most parents who have submitted their applications on time.

“The demand for primary school places in the borough has been increasing every year, so I am really proud that we are consistently performing outstandingly above the London average. I would like to thank the School Admissions staff for going above and beyond, and to encourage all parents and carers to accept the places they were offered by Tuesday 2 May.”