National Offer Day saw 91% of Year 6 pupils across the borough offered a place at one of their first three preferred secondary schools.

Families received letters from Kingston Council yesterday morning (March 1st) informing them of whether their children had received their desired places.

This year, parents and carers of 2,021 children applied for a secondary school place, compared with 1,913 last year, seeing an increase of 118 pupils (6%).

There was also a slight increase for Kingston students receiving an offer for their first choice at 73%, compared with 70% in 2022.

Kingston Council confirmed there are currently 93 children without an offer of a secondary school place, a reduction of the 97 children at this time last year.

For families whose children have not received a place, they are encouraged to contact Kingston Council for schools who still have places available.

Cllr Steph Archer, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services including education, said: "Our schools are deservedly popular as they offer excellent, inclusive education for local children, so demand for them is understandably high.

"In order to maximise the number of offers we made on 1 March, and to minimise the numbers of unplaced children, we have worked with schools to offer additional places on National Offer Day in the expectation they will return to their published admission numbers by September. This approach has been taken so as to reduce uncertainty for as many parents/carers as far as possible."

He continued: "But I know that this will be an anxious time for those children and their families who are yet to receive an offer. Parents and carers are advised to carefully read the notes which explain what to do next. We know from experience that places will become available to be re-offered to those on the waiting-lists from Thursday 30 March onwards.

"The number of unplaced children is a reminder of the need to ensure that there are enough permanent school places in the borough. Although it won't provide places for children this year, the Diocese of Southwark's six-form entry Church of England secondary school will open in September 2025, subject to planning permission, and will give greater certainty for local parents in the longer term. In the meantime, I am very grateful to schools for enabling additional places to be offered."

Across London, 89% of pupils - 82,687 children - were offered a place at one of their top three preferences of secondary school.

Almost 70% (69.78%) of children applying to London schools got into their first preference school, a slight decrease of 0.1% (0.17%) from last year, equivalent to 64,648 children.

Cllr Ian Edwards, London Councils Executive Member for Children and Young People, added: "It is vital that all children in London have access to a high-quality education. We want to ensure the best possible outcome for applicants to both mainstream schools and for pupils with special education needs and disabilities (SEND). 

"It is positive that once again the overwhelming majority of children have an offer from one of their preferred schools. Boroughs have worked diligently with schools to ensure there are sufficient places to meet the high demand for school places across the capital."