FIGURES released yesterday show that nearly 90 per cent of children in Harrow were offered a place at one of their preferred secondary schools.

Just under 2,500 parents of children applied for a place in a Harrow school, and were told on Tuesday if they had been successful.

And 87 per cent got a place at one of their top three choices, with 66 per cent offered their first choice.

The figures matched the London average, but saw six per cent of pupils given a place at a school that was not one of their six preferred choices.

Councillor Brian Gate, cabinet member for schools, said: “Harrow's schools are among the best in London so demand is always high for the places available.

“On top of that, rising birth rates and an influx of people into the capital are causing a further rise in applications, as every borough in London can testify.

“Every secondary school in Harrow is judged 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted, so all of our pupils have been offered a first class school place.

“This year we received 2,436 applications, and while it's not possible to offer everyone their first choice, we make every effort to ensure pupils can attend one of their preferred schools.”