THE most in-demand Colchester primary schools for the next academic year have been revealed.

Data from Essex County Council shows which schools across Colchester received the most applications from parents and carers with children due to start reception in September.

The most popular four schools out of the 59 listed for the area were Hamilton Primary School, St John’s Green Primary School, Home Farm Primary School and Highwoods Community Primary.

Hamilton Primary School was at the top of the list.

A total of 303 children applied for the school with 126 putting it as their first choice.

It was also the most oversubscribed school as it could only offer places to 60 children.

St John’s Green Primary School received 227 applications, with 73 children putting it as their top preference.

The school underwent an expansion scheme in 2017 to add two new classrooms and create space for an extra 60 pupils.

A total of 213 applied to Home Farm Primary School, with 64 selecting it as their first choice.

But the school could only offer 60 places.

Richard Potter, headteacher of Home Farm Primary School, said: “I believe Home Farm is a top choice because it is the school’s ethos that every child develops holistically: both academically and as a person in their own right.

“The school works as a community to ensure all children benefit from a truly rewarding and well rounded experience.”

As part of its strategy for school places in Colchester, Essex County Council decided to expand the school in 2018.

A new block of nine classrooms was built and some elements of the existing school were refurbished.

The school places data showed Highwoods Community Primary School was also oversubscribed.

Out of the 69 children who chose it as their top preference, 60 were given places.

The data shows 179 children applied in total to the school.

Paul Disley, headteacher of Highwoods Community Primary School, said: “We are incredibly proud of our school and delighted that so many families have chosen to send their children to Highwoods.

“The fabulous relationships between children, staff and parents make our school a brilliant place to learn and thrive.

“It really is a team effort’.”

Gazette:

Out of a total of 15,779 applications that were received on time across Essex, 14,161 pupils who are due to start in in September have been offered their parent or carer’s first preference of primary school.

This equates to 89.75 per cent of the total eligible cohort and represents a slight increase on last year which saw 89.38 per cent.