Parents of pupils starting secondary school in September will find out today if their children have got into their preferred option – with 93% getting their first or second choice.

Around 15,000 parents will be told by Essex County Council which school their child will be headed in the new education year.

Almost 86% of students have got their first choice, while 7.7% will go to their second choice school.

Ray Gooding, county councillor for education, said: “I am delighted we have once again been able to provide so many children with a preferred school place.

“This achievement is testament to the hard work of admissions staff, schools and those involved in planning expansions, as well as our continued investment in creating additional school places.

“We are creating 2,195 new school places for the 2016/17 academic year and plan to spend £364million over the next three years on delivering thousands more.

“I would like to wish all pupils starting secondary school in September the very best for the years ahead.”

The 93.6% of children offered their first or second preference is a slight increase on last year’s figure of 93%.

This year 2.26% of parents could not be offered any of their preferences and have been offered a place at the nearest school with space.