Every Reading student has been allocated a secondary school place this year, despite higher numbers of pupils than ever before.

Reading schools have been more popular than ever, with a greater number of residents choosing schools in the borough than schools outside it.

Reading Girls has increased in popularity and the Wren School, Highdown School and Maiden Erlegh all continue to be popular choices.

Reading’s new children’s company, Brighter Futures for Children, has made sure all secondary school pupils in the borough have a place for September.

First preference offers stand at 64 per cent, compared to 66% in 2018.

The number of students not allocated any of their preferences decreased slightly, from 12.58% last year to 12.28% this year.

On National Offer Day there were no surplus places in Reading schools, compared to 85 on offer day in 2018, 221 in 2017 and 274 in 2016.

This is likely to change after National Offer Day, as there is always movement of pupils which leads to places becoming available.

Parents need to be aware that this could impact on the number of school transport applications being submitted and approved.

Brighter Futures for Children, which is owned by, but independent of, Reading Borough Council, identified the need for Reading schools to take additional children this year.

This was because more than 200 additional residents chose to apply for a Reading school place for their child.

A shortage of spaces meant some schools were asked either to take an additional class or additional children per class.

Extra classes have been added at Highdown School, The Wren School and Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School.

Maiden Erlegh in Reading has taken an additional 12 students.

At the end of the admissions rounds last year (31 August each year) almost 80 additional places were available as children were – by choice – allocated out of borough.

The percentage of pupils allocated to schools outside Reading fell this year to 26.44% compared with 28.52% in 2018.