Youngsters across the country find out today which secondary or upper school they will be going to in September 2018.

In Dorset, 94.9 per cent of children will receive the good news that they have been offered a place at their first choice of school. This breaks down to 98.9 per cent of those starting upper school (Year 9) and 93.4 per cent of those starting secondary school (Year 7).

Parents/carers will be able to log onto their online account from 9:30am to see the outcome of their application. Letters have also been sent to arrive on or soon after 1 March.

Dorset County Council processed a total of 4035 applications from Dorset residents. Online applications increased this year, with 95 per cent of applications applying digitally.

Only 1.5 per cent of applicants received an alternative offer at a school that was not a named preference.

Councillor Deborah Croney, Dorset County Council’s Cabinet member for education, learning, and skills, said: ‘This is a big day for children – and their parents and carers – as they find out about the next stage of their education. We are delighted that so many children have received an offer of a place at their first preference school. I’d like to wish all Dorset children the best of luck in their new schools in September.’

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Figures released today show 98% of Wiltshire children will attend one of their preferred choices of secondary school from this September, as parents find out the results of their online applications.

Parents who applied online have found out their decisions today, those who applied by post will have their decisions posted out to them today.

This year 98% of children are being offered one of their three preferences, with 92% receiving an offer for their first preference school.

The number of parents applying online has risen again, with 95% of applications being made online, compared to 92% last year.

The results of online applications are available on  https://admissions.wiltshire.gov.uk/prefs.php; Parents will need their user ID and password to access their decisions.

The numbers of parents applying is also up on last year, as the number of children gradually increases in line with population growth. There were 4,807 on-time applications received this year 197 more applications than in 2017.

Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children said: ‘I’m pleased we are able to offer 98% of Wiltshire pupils one of their preferred secondary school choices this September.

‘The high figures are once again due to the careful planning of our officers, who ensure there are sufficient places across the county for now and in the future.’

All applicants have until 15 March 2018 to accept the offer they receive. The right to an independent appeal is open to anyone who has not received an offer at their preferred school.

Details of how to appeal are included in the decision letter posted to all applicants. Further information is also available on www.wiltshire.gov.uk/schools-learning-admissions-online