The wait is over for more than 16,000 parents, who find out today whether their children have got their desired school places.

87 per cent - more than 17 in 20 children in Essex - have been offered their parents’ first choice of primary school, while 6.6 per cent have been given their second. About 16,500 parents will receive notification of the outcome of their applications today, with those who applied online (95 per cent) receiving email confirmation.

This is only a slight drop from last year in those who gained first or second preference, from 93.55 to 93.3 per cent.

Chris Kiernan, Essex County Council’s Interim Director for Commissioning: Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “I am delighted we have once again been able to offer the vast majority of children their parents’ first preference primary school, despite the growing pressure on places.

“This achievement is a further demonstration of the continued investment we are making in creating additional primary school places, as well as the hard work and dedication of schools and admissions staff.

“I am well aware that many parents will have been waiting nervously ahead of primary offer day, but I hope they will be pleased with the outcome and can now look forward to their children starting school for the very first time in September.”

Earlier this year the county council received confirmation from the Department of Education of a new £41.4 million grant, bringing the total funding to support the creation of new school places over a four year period up to 2017/18 to £137.7 million.