135 applications for just 60 places at Preston and Lancashire’s most in-demand school
Lancashire’s most in-demand school is right here in Preston.
A Preston primary school received more than double the number of first-choice applications for every available place this year.
The new figures from the Department for Education means Olive School, Preston is not only the most in-demand primary school in Lancashire, but the most in-demand school full stop.
The Fulwood school, which only opened in September 2016, received 135 first-choice applications for just 60 places for 2026-27 entry.
This is equivalent to 2.25 applications per place or a success rate of 44.44 per cent for those who had applied.
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The principal of Olive School, Preston, which has also held an ‘Oustanding’ Ofsted rating since its first inspection in 2019, shared his delight at the news with the Post.
Principal Parveen Yusuf said: “We are delighted that so many families have chosen The Olive School, Preston as their first choice, and that our school continues to attract such strong interest from families in the local community.
“We work hard to create a welcoming, ambitious environment where every child is supported to thrive, both in their learning and in their wider development. As part of Star Academies, one of the country’s leading education providers, we are proud to be part of a wider family of schools united by a shared commitment to educational excellence. Our pupils are at the heart of everything we do, and our dedicated staff are committed to providing them with a high-quality education, while helping them to grow in confidence, develop their character and discover their potential."
The figures, released as part of the Department for Education’s school-level admissions data, show 17 primary schools across Preston received more first-choice applications than they had places available.
The remaining 21 received fewer.
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After The Olive School, Preston, the second most in-demand primary school in the city was St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Lea which received 13 first-choice applications for only 15 spaces -equivalent to 1.77 applications per place.
Harris Primary School was third, with 46 first preferences for 27 places, equivalent to 1.7 per place.
You can however browse all 17 of the hardest primary schools in Preston to get into this year here.
You can also look at the 21 toughest primary schools across the county here.