More than 90 per cent of pupils get into one of their top three secondary schools

Secondary school places were allocated today and 95 per cent of pupils in the Castle Point, Rochford and Basildon districts got at least their second choice, with 93 per cent of children in Southend getting into at least their third choice.

The figure for Southend matched their performance from last year and their councillor for children and learning, Anne Jones, was pleased with the outcome.

She said: “As ever, and whilst the majority of people have got what they wanted, we of course recognise that there will be disappointed families who did not receive either their first choice or who did not receive any of their top three.

“That is why we continue to work hard on plans to increase the number of pupil places available locally and recently committed an additional £8m to increase the number of secondary school places, improve facilities available and help to ensure that there are sufficient places offering good quality and choice to our young people and their parents and carers.”

The total number of applications in Southend went up by 56 this year, with the number getting their first choice falling fractionally to 79.14 per cent.

Across the rest of south Essex 85.90 per cent of pupils were awarded their first choice school and Ray Gooding, the county councillor for education and lifelong learning, was pleased with the work of his department.

He said: “I am delighted we have once again been able to provide so many children with a preferred school place.

“This achievement is testament to the hard work of admissions staff, schools and those involved in planning expansions, as well as our continued investment in creating additional school places.

“We are creating 2,195 new school places for the 2016/17 academic year and plan to spend £364million over the next three years on delivering thousands more.

“I would like to wish all pupils starting secondary school in September the very best for the years ahead.”