Kirklees Council says it has successfully matched almost 99% of local families with one of their preferred primary schools.

In September this year, over 6,500 Kirklees children will be starting school for the first time or transferring to junior or middle school – and 98.9% have been allocated a place at one of the schools stated as a preference on their application.

This year’s primary school figures showed that 93.1% of applicants secured a place at their first choice school, with 4.6% and 1.2% gaining places at their second and third preferences respectively.

Earlier this year, when it was National Offer Day for secondary school places, almost 96% of families in Kirklees were successfully matched to one of their preferred secondary schools.

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Mel Meggs, strategic director for children’s services, said: “Starting school is always a huge step for children, as well as for their parents and carers.

“Moving to a junior or middle school is also a vital transition in a child’s life, so we are delighted that nearly every family was matched with one of their preferences.

“Kirklees schools do a wonderful job of supporting children and families, easing them into a new and nurturing environment so that they can settle quickly and achieve well.

“We wish all of these children the very best of luck as they begin their school life or head into the next stage of education. Our shared goal is for each and every child to be happy, healthy and enjoy the best possible start.”