CHILDREN in Cumbria have some of the best access to primary schools for the next academic year, according to new research from education software specialist The Access Group.

The 'school squeeze' campaign reveals which UK areas have the highest and lowest volume of pupils entering primary school year per school in the area – and where parents have the best access to their first-choice school.

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The figure was calculated by taking the number of children set to attend primary school in the 2023 and 2024 academic year, and comparing it to the number of primary schools per local authority.

Cumbria offers the third best access to primary school places, with 4,418 children entering each of the region's 310 schools next year. This equates to roughly 14 (14.3) per school. Rutland provided the best access in England (12.9), with North Yorkshire (14.2) completing the top three.

Whereas the most squeezed locations are mainly in the south, towns and cities in the north, Midlands, Yorkshire and coastal areas are proving less competitive for parents looking to secure admission at a first-choice school – and where there may be surplus places.

Jane Gibson, product manager in education at The Access Group, explained what this means for parents in the area.

“Admissions is a stressful time for parents as your child’s school can have a big impact on their future. Even on a smaller scale, if you fail to get into your first-choice school, there’s a risk of being separated from friends, or you might add on extra travel time to get your child to the school gates every morning.

“Schools also often ‘hold their breath’ at this time of year too. Pupil numbers can affect their funding, which in turn can lead to difficult decisions regarding staffing levels, budget allocation and more - but with specialist education technology such as school finance software and school payments software, it’s easier to cope with fluctuating numbers and ensure there’s adequate resources to provide a great education.”

Applications for primary school admission for 2023 and 2024 entry close on Sunday, January 15.

For the full list of where schools in the UK are the most squeezed, including Ofsted-rated Outstanding schools go to: https://www.theaccessgroup.com.