Sutton has achieved one of the highest preference rates in London for secondary school places.

Parents in the borough last week were told which schools have made offers of places for the September intake.

Despite a 5% increase in applications this year, 97% received a preference school – which is above the London average of 93.5%.

In a repeat of last year, 75% got their first preference which is above the London average of 68%. For top three preference offers, Sutton achieved 93% against 88.4% for the London average.

A key factor in this has been the council’s work with schools to expand the number of school places.

In September, those children will be starting at schools officially ranked as being among the best in the country for teaching and exam results.

The small minority of families that do not have a preference school offer are being advised to reconsider all local schools and add these to their applications before further offers are made later this month.

Cllr Wendy Mathys, Chair of the Children, Family & Education Committee, said:

“Preference offers for Sutton residents this year are well above the London averages, and are some of the highest across the capital. We have worked hard with our secondary schools to match last year’s figure of 75% of Sutton’s pupils getting an offer for their first preference school. That is despite a 5% increase in applications this year.

“Sutton has an increasing population of children who have reached or are nearing secondary school age which is why we have a school expansion programme that will deliver the extra places we need through new and existing schools.

“Part of that increased demand is down to the excellent schools we have in Sutton which make our borough an increasingly popular place to raise a family.”