THOUSANDS of parents have found out today which school their child will attend in September.

Hampshire County Council dealt with more than 14,000 applications for children starting primary school this year, of which 97.76 per cent were offered a place at one of their preferred schools.

Emails were sent out to those parents who applied by the deadline of midnight, on January 15, via the online application system. Those who applied using a paper application will receive a letter instead which will be sent today.

But more than 1,000 parents may be disappointed having not being offered a place for their child at their first choice school. Figures show that, while 13,169 children were allocated a place at their first preference school, 879 were given their second choice, and 243 their third preference.

John Couglan, Hampshire County Council’s director of children’s services, said the figures for those offered a place at one of their preferred schools was slightly higher than last year, when 89.96 were allocated their first choice school, compared to 90.09 per cent this year.

 He added: “If parents are happy with the place offered to their child, there is no need for them to confirm acceptance but they are expected to contact the school with evidence of address and their child’s date of birth over the coming weeks.

“Parents can appeal in respect of any school for which they have received a refusal. If parents have been allocated a place at a school other than one they hoped for, we advise that they hold onto that place for the time being, pending the outcome of offers being made to children on waiting lists or any appeal process. Their child’s name will automatically be added to the waiting list of any higher preference Hampshire school named.

“If parents no longer need the school place secured for their child, they are asked to notify us, as soon as possible, so that the place can be re-allocated.”