Parents in Cornwall find out today (Thursday, April 16) which primary school their child has been allocated, with almost 96% offered their first preference.
Cornwall Council received 4,757 applications for reception places for September 2026, of which 4,559 have been offered a place at their first preference school.
This equates to 95.84%, which is slightly higher than last year’s figure of 95.76% and above last year’s national average of 92.6%. (The national figure for 2026 is not yet available.)
Almost every child (99.52%) in Cornwall received a place at their first, second or third preference school this year, compared to 99.28% last year.
Cllr Hilary Frank, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families at Cornwall Council, said:
“It’s fantastic news that so many children and families have been offered their first preference primary school for this September.
“This is all down to the hard work of our teams who work closely with schools across Cornwall. We consistently offer a higher-than-average number of children their preferred school and I would like to thank everyone who played a part this year.
"We do recognise that some families may be disappointed by the allocation for their child and there is an independent appeals process that can be followed. More information on this can be found on the school appeals page on the council’s website.”
To help make the transition into Reception as smooth and positive as possible, parents and carers are encouraged to explore Starting Reception to find practical tips, activities and guidance to help children feel confident and ready for their first day.