THE percentage of families with children that have been allocated their first choice of primary school has once again gone up this year.

Today anxious parents of children approaching primary school age across the district find out which school they will be attending in September.

This year, the percentage of families getting a place at their first choice was almost 89.72 per cent, 6,755 families. That was up from last year, when the figure was 88.63 per cent.

It means the number of Bradford parents getting a place at their first choice of primary school has increased for each of the last four academic years.

Two percent of families, 156, were allocated a school that were not in their top five choices.

Overall, 97 per cent of applicants received a school place at one of their top three preferences for 2017/18 - 0.4 per cent higher than last year.

Nearly six per cent of families (444) were allocated their second preference, 1.5 per cent (111) their third, 0.5 per cent (40) their fourth and 0.3 per cent (23) their fifth.

Judith Kirk, Bradford Council’s Deputy Director for Education, Employment and Skills said: "It is very welcome news that more Bradford families are getting into their first choice of primary school and that 97 per cent of people who applied in the district have secured a place at one of the top three preferences.

“We understand how important it is to families to send their children to schools they want to attend and we work hard to ensure this can be achieved wherever possible.

"Since 2010 Bradford Council has invested in creating 8,500 new primary school places across the district to help schools to meet demand. It is encouraging to see the district’s figures improve again this year.”

Government policy means Bradford, like other councils, is not able to open new schools. However, recent years have seen numerous existing primary schools expanded to meet rising pupil numbers.

Despite the improving figures, there was disappointment for families not allocated any of their top choices.  Louise McCrone had hoped her daughter, Willow, would attend Blakehill Primary, a short distance from First Steps Nursery, where she and most of her friends attend.

But the family, who live on Farriers Croft, were told Willow had been allocated Parklands Primary, almost twice as far away and not in their top five choices.

Mrs McCrone said: "We're devastated, I can't stop thinking about it and worrying. We researched all the schools and had five choices down. I'm definitely appealing."

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, Lib Dem leader, said she had heard of issues with parents not getting their choices in the BD2 and BD10 areas. She added: "Despite pressuring the council, they still haven't got all the places identified considering all the new houses that are planned."

Councillor Debbie Davies, Conservative spokesman for education, said: "These figures show that it is good there have been school expansions. I think the council are quite good at looking forward to see where the demand will be, but I think there are a few areas where we could do with more primary places."