MORE than one in ten families have missed out on their top preference primary school.

This September, marginally fewer children in Brighton and Hove will go to the primary school their parents ranked as the number one choice than last year.

But nearly nine out of ten got their first preference school.

Out of 2,609 applications this year, 2,333 got their first preference.

That is 89.4 per cent of the total, slightly down on last year’s 90 per cent, but up on 97.9 per cent two years ago.

Councillor Dan Chapman, chairman of the council’s children, young people and skills committee, said: “We have an excellent family of schools in our city and we’re delighted to be able to offer so many families their preferred school.

“Our primary schools deliver impressively and provide a firm foundation for continued learning.

“Children across Brighton and Hove are leaving primary school with above average reading, writing and maths skills, according to the latest national figures.”

In detail the following places were allocated:

First preferences: 2,333 pupils or 89.4 per cent. In 2017 it was 2,382 pupils (90 per cent).

Second preferences: 197 pupils or 7.55 per cent. In 2017 it was 177 pupils or 6.6 per cent.

Third preferences: 39 pupils or 1.5 per cent. In 2017 it was 43 pupils or 1.6 per cent.

Directions: 40 pupils or 1.5 per cent. In 2017 it was 45 pupils or 1.7 per cent.

Those who were not offered a place at one of their preferred schools were offered places at the nearest school to their home address that had places available.

Last year following a reassessment of demand, the council confirmed it would retain a second intake class at Benfield and Hertford infant schools, which had been under threat of closure.