Most families in Reading have successfully secured a place at one of their preferred primary schools for the upcoming academic year, according to Reading Borough Council.
The council confirmed that 99% of families were offered a place at one of their top three choices for September 2026 entry. Specifically, 91% of applicants received an offer from their first-preference school. This outcome follows an increase in demand, with the council receiving 1,846 applications for the new term, up by 104 compared to the 1,742 applications recorded in 2025.
The admissions process, managed on behalf of the council by Brighter Futures for Children, also saw positive results for pupils moving between school stages. All 115 students who required an infant-to-junior school transfer and submitted their application on time were granted their first choice of school.
A breakdown of the total primary school allocations shows that 1,680 pupils received their first preference, 111 received their second, 29 their third, and 7 their fourth. A small number of students, totalling 19, were allocated a place by the local authority without a specific preference offer.
Brian Grady, the Director of Education, acknowledged the effort required to manage the allocation process. He thanked the school staff across Reading and the admissions team for their work in supporting families through the transition to primary education.
While the first-preference success rate in Reading is 91%, official national data for 2026 entry has not yet been finalized. This year’s result marks a change from 2025, when 94% of local families were awarded their first-choice school.
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