MORE than 98 per cent of parents have been offered a reception year place for their child in one of their three preferred choice schools, the county council has confirmed.

Parents in Hampshire who applied on time for a school place for children starting school in September 2023 – either in Reception Year or in Year 3 in a junior school were sent the outcome of their application by Hampshire County Council (HCC) on Monday, April 17.

HCC has processed more than 21,000 applications (21,193) for children to start school in Reception Year (Year R) and to move from infant to their first year of junior education (Year 3).

Over 98 per cent (98.77 per cent) of parents have been offered a reception year place for their child in one of their three preferred choice schools, with more than 93 per cent (93.02 per cent) allocated a place at their first choice of school.

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Of pupils transferring from infant school to junior school (Year 3), more than 99 per cent (99.29 per cent) received a place at one of their three choices, and over 97 per cent (97.88 per cent) obtained a place at their first choice of school.

Pupils who did not secure a place at one of their preferred schools have been allocated a place at their catchment school or the next nearest school with a place available. In these cases, the council has advised parents, in their notification about the right to appeal and the arrangements for their preferred school’s waiting list. Places can become available via the waiting list for various reasons including parents changing their minds, or families moving home.

In notifying parents of their offer, the admissions team sent to parents who applied online, an email confirming the outcome of their application. Parents can also view their offer by logging into the secure, online portal using the same login details provided when making their online application. Those parents who applied on paper have been notified by post and should receive their letters in two to three days.

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Parents are also being encouraged at this time to consider how their child will travel to and from school, and whether they may need transport assistance. School transport is available for children who meet specific eligibility criteria, after they reach compulsory school age (five years old). The deadline to submit transport applications is July 31.  

Further information about the admissions process, including a set of frequently asked questions, is available on the council’s admissions webpages. Visit, hants.gov.uk.