More than 99% of children starting school in Somerset this September have been offered a primary school place at one of their top three preferences.
On national primary school offer day (16 April), Somerset Council confirmed that 99.43% of the 4,938 applications received for the 2026/27 academic year were offered a place at one of their preferred primary schools.
The majority of children, 95.38% (4,710 applicants), were offered their first‑choice school.
Of the 4,938 primary school applications received:
- First preference met: 4,710 (95.38%)
- Second preference met: 162 (3.28%)
- Third preference met: 38 (0.77%)
Families who applied online will receive their school offer by email today (16 April). Those who applied using a paper form will receive their offer letter shortly.
Primary schools will contact families over the coming days to share further information and support a smooth start to the school year.
Cllr Heather Shearer, Lead Member for Children, Families and Education at Somerset Council, said: “Starting primary school is a really important moment for children and their families, so it is reassuring to see such positive outcomes again this year.
“These figures show that the vast majority of children in Somerset have been offered a place at a school preferred by their family, which reflects the careful planning and commitment of our schools and admissions team.
“I wish all children a happy and confident start as they begin this new chapter.”
Last year 5,086 applicants were offered a place at one of their top three preferred primary schools (99.27%), with 4,866 children (95.67%) receiving their first‑choice school.
Parents and carers of children seeking further information can visit the Council’s applying for a school place webpages.
