SLIGHTLY fewer school starters will be going to one of their preferred primaries in September compared to last year.

In total, 93.8 per cent of primary age children in Reading have been offered a place in one of their four chosen schools, compared to 94.6 per cent in 2016.

Roughly 140 pupils missed out on their top four and were allocated a school by Reading Borough Council.

Despite the percentage rise, all on-time applicants received a place, with 87.6 per cent of 2,254 applicants headed to their first or second choice.

The Council recently completed its £61 million expansion programme to create 2,500 additional primary school places, with the opening of Civitas Academy in Great Knollys Street, in February.

Councillor Tony Jones, Lead Member for Education, said:“The completion of the Council’s £61 million primary school expansion programme earlier this year has enabled the authority to offer every child a school place for September.

“The number of applications for primary school places in Reading continues to grow every year but we have been consistent with the number of pupils offered one of their top three preferences.

“There will always be some families who are disappointed but a vast majority of children will be going to one of their favoured school in September.”

Schools included in the Council's primary expansion project are Alfred Sutton Primary, Churchend Primary, Civitas Academy, EP Collier, Geoffrey Field Infant and Junior Schools, Ridgeway Primary, Ranikhet Primary, Southcote Primary, St Michael’s Primary, Thameside Primary, St Martins CofE Primary and Newtown Primary.