Nearly 96 per cent of secondary school pupils have secured places at their preferred schools in Sutton, the second-highest in London.

Figures released by the Pan London Admissions Board show the borough missed out on top spot by a hair – just 0.03 per cent – to Havering.

Just above 90 per cent of schoolchildren in Sutton obtained spots at their three most preferred schools, while 72.56 per cent achieved one at their top choice.

The Pan London Admissions Board released the latest data for 2019 on National Offer Day (March 1), seeing a rise in the number of pupils applying for secondary school places.

There were 95,305 applications for secondary school places this year, a three per cent increase compared to 2018, with just over 88,000 children being offered a place at one of their preferred schools.

Speaking on National Offer Day, a Sutton Council spokesman said: “Sutton has some of the best schools in London, so I’m delighted so many pupils have managed to get a place at one of their preferred options.

“Today’s figures show the number of pupils starting secondary school in Sutton, and London as a whole, is growing significantly.

“While there has been a five per cent increase in applications compared to last year, we have still managed to deliver more preferred places for pupils than the London average.

“This has been made by possible in large part thanks to good planning, the flexibility of our secondary schools in making additional places available, and the opening of Harris Academy Sutton in 2018.”

Comprising the top five are Havering, Sutton, Bromley, Barking and Dagenham, as well as Bexley.

Meanwhile, Brent, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth, Greenwich and Richmond are in the bottom five respectively.

Sara Williams, chair of the Pan London Admissions Board, insists there are “sufficient places” in London to meet demands for school places.

She added: “The scheme ensures that parents receive a school place offer at the school which is the highest in their list of preferences for which they are eligible under the admissions criteria.

“We advise parents to read the details of their child’s offer carefully and consider their options carefully before making a decision.

“Each London borough has an admissions team and staff are happy to help if they have any queries.”

These are the percentages of pupils who secured offers at their preferred schools, ranked by borough:

  1. Havering - (95.88)
  2. Sutton - (95.85)
  3. Bromley - (95.57)
  4. Barking and Dagenham - (94.63)
  5. Bexley - (94.53)
  6. Hillingdon - (94.41)
  7. Haringey - (94.3)
  8. Waltham Forest - (93.84)
  9. Islington - (93.54)
  10. Newham (93.42)
  11. Hackney - (93.33)
  12. Westminster (93.15)
  13. Merton - (92.83)
  14. Wandsworth - (92.55)
  15. Redbridge - (92.52)
  16. Camden - (92.46)
  17. Kingston - (92.41)
  18. Lewisham - (92.3)
  19. Hounslow - (92.14)
  20. Enfield - (92.04)
  21. Tower Hamlets - (92.01)
  22. Harrow - (91.83)
  23. Croydon - (91.82)
  24. City of London - (91.67)
  25. Barnet - (90.6)
  26. Kensington and Chelsea - (90.18)
  27. Southwark - (89.96)
  28. Ealing - (89.95)
  29. Brent - (89.51)
  30. Hammersmith and Fulham - (89.46)
  31. Lambeth - (89.45)
  32. Greenwich - (89.41)
  33. Richmond - (88.95)

London average - 92.39 per cent of pupils offered a school place (65.89 per cent at top choice).