99% secure top three choice of primary school

April 17, 2025

Southend-on-Sea City Council is pleased to announce that 99% of pre-school children in Southend will start their primary school education at one of their top three preferred choices.

Today (Wednesday 16 April) is primary school offer day, where parents received notification of their child's primary school placement for September 2025, we can reveal that out of 1,754 applications received for Southend:

90% (1,574 pupils) were granted their first choice

7% (123 pupils) secured their second choice

2% (36 pupils) were offered their third choice

Cllr Laurie Burton, cabinet member for children, young people, and SEND, said: “It's great news that 99% of local children have secured one of their top three choices at their preferred primary school for this September.

"This is an exciting and emotional start of a new chapter for these children and their families, and I want to take this opportunity to wish them every success and happiness in this next phase of their education.”

Visit www.southend.gov.uk/admissions for further information.