99% have been offered a place at one of their preferred primary schools this year.
There are 6,479 children due to start primary and infant schools in Lincolnshire in September 2026, and the vast majority will receive an offer at one of their preferred schools. Overall, 6,243 children (96.36%) have been offered a place at their first preference school. This remains consistent with recent years, with first preference offers recorded at 95.71% last year and 95.73% in 2024.
A further 195 children (3.01%) have been offered their second preference school, and 22 children (0.34%) their third preference. Just 19 children (0.29%) were unable to be offered a place at one of their preferred schools and have instead been allocated their closest school with a place available. All offers have been made to schools within a reasonable distance of the child’s home.
The number of children offered their first preference school is expected to increase further following appeals and movement on reserve lists ahead of pupils starting school in September.
Cllr Natalie Oliver, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: “I’m pleased that so many children have been offered a place at their first preference school, and we anticipate this number will increase as we move towards September. Supporting parents to secure places at their preferred schools remains a key priority, and encouraging the full use of available preferences plays an important role in this. For another year, this has resulted in the overwhelming majority of parents receiving an offer at one of their chosen schools.’
Those parents who applied online will receive an e-mail containing a secure link to their offer letter on 16 April 2026. Please go to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions for further information. Offers were posted to those who applied by telephone or paper form today (16 April).
Parents have until midnight on 20 May 2026 to lodge an appeal against a school's decision not to offer a place. If they return the appeal by the deadline, it will be heard before the start of the school year. If an appeal is received after this deadline, it will still be heard, but this may be in September.