Parents in Central Bedfordshire have a 99 per cent chance of getting their children into their preferred secondary school – the best admissions rate in England, according to an Education Policy Institute report.

The analysis has assessed this high level of successful first-choice applications, against the national average of 84 per cent.

This follows on from the Department for Education’s scorecard, which was published in May, and showed that Central Bedfordshire Council had 99.3 per cent of secondary school applicants receiving one of their top three preferences in 2017. This is against a national average of 94.6 per cent.

For primary schools, Central Bedfordshire Council scored 98.6 per cent against a national average of 97.2 per cent.

They are ranked number one out of 141 local authorities, with 100 per cent of its places being provided at schools rated either good or outstanding by Ofsted. The national average is 91 per cent.

Councillor Steve Dixon, Central Bedfordshire Council executive member for families, education and children, said: “We are proud of our school admissions programme but, to be recognised as the best local authority in England, in terms of 99 per cent of parents getting their first choice of secondary school preference, is an incredible achievement.

“The bar is set high now, so our priority is to maintain this high level of service for Central Bedfordshire families and young people.”

It is now quicker and easier to apply for a school place and, last year, 90 per cent of Central Bedfordshire parents did so online. Applications are now open for children due to start school in September 2019, or transfer to middle, secondary or upper school.

The deadline for applications to transfer to a secondary or upper school is Wednesday, October 31, while for starting school or joining a middle school the closing date is January 15, 2019.

Visit centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/admissions to apply for a school place online or access other information including catchment areas, deferred entries, making an application on religious/faith grounds and how places are allocated.

Parents and carers can also complete a paper application form, which is available by phone 0300 300 8037, email admissions@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or by writing to School Admissions, Central Bedfordshire Council, Watling House, High Street North, Dunstable, LU6 1LF.