The most in-demand primary schools in Barking and Dagenham have been revealed, based on the number of first-choice reception applications made this year.
The figures, compiled by SchoolFacts using Department for Education admissions data for 2026-27, show that seven of the borough’s 43 primary schools received more first-choice applications than places.
Thames View Infant School in Bastable Avenue, Barking led the list with 130 first-choice applications. Gascoigne Primary School in Gascoigne Road was next with 123, followed by Furze Infant School with 120 and Rush Green Primary School with 119.
However, when factoring in available places against applications, Eastbury Community School in Hulse Avenue, Barking is the most over-subscribed — with 73 first-choice applications for just 60 places, averaging 1.22 applications per place.
The St Teresa Catholic Primary School follows with 36 applications for 30 places, averaging 1.2 per place.
Based on total demand, Five Elms Primary School in Dagenham’s Wood Lane was highest at 5.2 applications per place.
In neighbouring Havering, Ardleigh Green Infant School in Hornchurch was the most in-demand with 131 first-choice applications for only 90 reception places — averaging 1.46 applications per place.
London Streets has been covering Camden’s toughest reception races and the Mini London Marathon this week.
