The latest figures from the Department for Education compare the number of reception applications received by each school with the number of places available.
The data offers an insight into which schools were most in demand among parents, while also highlighting those that still had places remaining after offers were allocated for September 2026.
Below is a ranking of Dartford primary schools, from the most oversubscribed to those with the highest number of vacant places, including the proportion of successful and unsuccessful applications.
READ MORE: Indian restaurant reveals re-opening date in Swanley after ‘exciting’ transformation
Several schools attracted more applications than the number of places available, meaning not every family secured a place at their preferred school.
Where schools are oversubscribed, places are allocated according to each school’s admissions criteria. These can include factors such as the distance between a child’s home and the school, whether they have a sibling already attending, and whether they live within a designated catchment area.
Other schools received fewer applications than places on offer, leaving vacancies following the initial allocation process.
Demand varies significantly across Dartford, with factors such as location, transport connections, school performance and Ofsted ratings often influencing parents’ choices when applying for reception places.
