The first round of primary school allocations has taken place and more than 95 per cent of parents received an offer for one of their first three preferences – no mean feat when birth rates are rising throughout the country.

As a parent and former headteacher I understand the emotion involved in making sure our children have the best educational start in life.

However, I do want to make sure that parents fully understand the admissions process.

The main focus of a report and letter in Thursday’s Oxford Mail were two families who had a first child at a school outside their catchment area.

Both families applied for the same out of catchment school for their second child but did not put any other preferences on the form. Some schools are oversubscribed even for children in the catchment area.

In both cases, had they put down their catchment area school as a second or third preference, they would have received an offer of a place there.

These schools are very much nearer than the schools they have been offered.

Requesting just one school, whether in or out of catchment, on the form does not increase the chances of getting that school.

It’s important that parents use the opportunity to state three preferences, in case they are unable to gain an offer of a place at their first choice school.

As recognised by an Oxford Mail editorial piece a year ago, it can be a “logistical nightmare trying to find places for every school child in the county”.

In many areas of the country, this isn't achieved, let alone such a high figure of 87 per cent gaining their first preference.

Michael Waine, Cabinet member for schools Improvement, Oxfordshire County Council