Fewer London children secure top primary school selection

FEWER children in London have secured a place at their first choice of primary school despite an overall drop in demand for places across the capital.

- By ELEANOR BUSBY

Overall, 87.9 per cent of pupils who applied to start at a London primary school this autumn received an offer from their first preference, compared with 89.1 per cent last year, figures show.

The number of applications for places at primary schools in the capital has fallen again this year.

Across London, 83,581 pupils applied for a primary school place - a 2.1 per cent decrease on last year.

London Councils, which collated the figures, said application numbers were affected by a range of factors - including the falling birth rate and families leaving the capital due to a shortage of affordable housing.