Today is National Offer Day and sees 94.20 per cent (3,052 pupils) of parents in 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 89.13 per cent. 

The deadline to apply for a primary school place was 15 January 2024 and figures show Barking and Dagenham Council received 3,240 applications.

The number of parents securing an offer from a preferred school in Barking and Dagenham was 98.68 per cent (3,197), again beating the capital’s average of 98.19 per cent.

Jane Hargreaves, Commissioning Director of Education, said: “Securing a place in their preferred school for their children is of utmost importance to parents. I'm very pleased that, yet again, Barking and Dagenham were able to offer most parents who submitted their applications on time their first preference.

“The demand for primary school places in the borough continues to rise and we’re able to consistently surpass the London average, placing second this year. I extend my gratitude to the School Admissions team for their exceptional hard work and dedication, and I urge all parents and caregivers to make sure they accept the places offered to them by Tuesday 30 April.”