Parents across Somerset are celebrating as over 99% of children starting school this September have been offered a place at one of their top three preferred primary schools.

On National Offer Day (April 16), Somerset Council confirmed that of the 5,086 applications received for the 2025/26 academic year, 95.67% (4,866 children) were offered their first-choice school.

An additional 3.07% (156 children) received their second choice, and 0.53% (27 children) were allocated their third preference.

Cllr Heather Shearer, Lead Member for Children, Families and Education at Somerset Council, expressed her satisfaction: "I'm delighted to hear that once again so many of our parents and carers have secured a place for their child at their chosen primary school this year. All of our children deserve the best education that we can give them, and today they will know where the next stage of their journey through learning will start. I wish them every joy and success."​

These figures show a slight improvement from last year, where 95.33% of applicants received their first choice, and 98.86% secured one of their top three preferences.​

Families who applied online will receive their offers via email on April 16, while those who applied by post will receive letters shortly thereafter.

Allocated schools will contact families in the coming days to discuss arrangements.

For parents and carers who did not receive one of their top three choices, information on next steps, including appeals and waiting lists, is available on Somerset Council's school admissions webpage.