More than four in five Surrey reception class applicants have been offered their first preference school as demand for places reaches a new high.

Figures from Surrey County Council show that just over 82% of Surrey pupils were offered the school they put first on their list – down slightly on last year’s 83.1%.

The number applying for reception class places rose by 279 to a record 13,827 – more than enough to fill a new one-form primary school.

Primary education in Surrey covers infant and junior levels.