A record 96 per cent of families in North Yorkshire have successfully secured their first-choice primary school for September 2026.
A record number of families across North Yorkshire have successfully secured their first-choice primary school for their children starting this September.
North Yorkshire Council has revealed that 96 per cent of families in the county have been offered their top preference, which represents an increase from 95 per cent last year.
The figures were released on National Offer Day, which took place on the 16th of April. This is the designated day when parents and carers of children in North Yorkshire starting primary school, or moving up from infants to juniors, learn which school they will be attending from September onwards.
Out of the 5,137 pupils starting primary school in the county in September 2026, 99 per cent received an offer from one of their top three preferred schools.
This local success rate sits comfortably above the national average from last year, when 92.6 per cent of parents and carers across the country received an offer from their first-choice primary school.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, said:
"Starting school for the first time is such a key milestone and we are pleased that 2026 is a record year for families who applied for primary school places here in North Yorkshire and will see their children going to a school of their choice."
"It is always our intention to support as many parents as possible with their preferences and this year we have seen outstanding numbers of families successful in gaining admission to the primary school of their choice."
"We are proud to have excellent schools across North Yorkshire and we look forward to welcoming our new starters in September. I wish every child the very best as they begin this exciting next step in their learning journey."
The council's corporate director for children and young people’s service, El Mayhew, added:
"I would like to thank our schools for all their support and for working so closely with families to ensure the local authority received as many on-time applications as possible."
"I wish every child a happy and successful start to their primary education."
Following the allocation of school places, North Yorkshire Council is reminding parents and carers that it will now review eligibility for free home-to-school transport.
Families will be notified of the outcome of this transport review by email by Monday, the 15th of June.
The local authority provides free travel to the nearest suitable school for pupils from Reception to Year 11. The council notes that this may not necessarily be the catchment school for admissions purposes.
To qualify, the distance must be more than the statutory walking distance of two miles for children under eight years of age, and more than three miles for children aged eight and over.
Furthermore, children may also qualify for free travel if the route they walk to their nearest school is under these distances but is assessed as being unsafe, or if the child has additional needs.
Families seeking more information about free school travel can visit the council's website at www.northyorks.gov.uk/HomeToSchool, where a short video explaining frequently asked questions is available to watch.
Looking ahead, parents and carers of children currently in nursery who are due to start primary school in September 2027 will be able to apply for their places from the 15th of October 2026.
Further details regarding the admissions process can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/schooladmissions.
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