Croydon’s most high-demand primary schools revealed

New Department for Education figures show which schools attracted the highest number of first-choice applications, as well as second and third, and which still had places left after offers were made.

Several schools were oversubscribed, with demand far outstripping the number of places available.

In some cases, not every family that applied as their first choice was able to secure a place.

Meanwhile, other schools received fewer first-preference applications than the number of reception places on offer.

The table below shows how Croydon primary schools compare based on first-choice demand from parents.

Schools with negative figures were oversubscribed, meaning applications exceeded available places.

Positive figures show schools where first-choice applications were lower than the number of places available.

However, this does not necessarily mean those schools were left with empty classrooms, as some places may later have been filled by second or third preference applications.

Where schools are oversubscribed, places are usually allocated using admissions criteria such as distance from the school, catchment areas or whether a child already has a sibling attending.

School popularity can vary for several reasons, including Ofsted ratings, transport links and local reputation.

Families can still apply for schools with vacancies, while waiting lists for oversubscribed schools may continue to change in the weeks after National Offer Day.