Richmond is known for its top-performing schools, and with application season coming up, it's good to know which ones tend to be oversubscribed.

Figures show Christ's School was the hardest secondary school to secure a place at locally this year, with just 43.5 per cent of people who put it down as a first choice being offered a place.

It was followed by Orleans Park School, where 45.9 per cent of first preferences were offered, according to figures released by the Department for Education.

Barnes Primary School was the hardest primary school to get into in the borough, with just under half (49.2 per cent) of those who put it as their first choice primary securing a place for this September.

St Richard Reynolds Catholic Primary School was the next hardest primary to get into locally, with just 57.1 per cent of those who put it as a first preference getting a place.

The data from the Department for Education is based on figures from National Offers Day, so data held directly by individual schools may differ, for example, because late applications were included.

Choosing your top six

Parents whose children have just entered their final year at primary school (born between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010) are reminded that they now need to start thinking about secondary school choices, before the deadline on October 31.

Parents should use the eAdmissions website to apply online, and can name up to six schools in their application including academy or free schools and schools in other council areas.

If you do not live in the borough, you need to apply through your own council and you can include Richmond schools in your application.

Certain schools need additional information to apply their admissions criteria, for example schools that prioritise applications by faith, and may require you to also complete a Supplementary Information Form.

You will be sent an email on the evening of March 1, 2021 telling you the outcome of your application.

The application deadline for applying for a Reception place for primary school is January 15, 2021.

The five most popular secondary schools in Richmond

1. Christ's School – 43.5 per cent of first preferences offered
2. Orleans Park School – 45.9 per cent of first preferences offered
3. Waldegrave School – 49.7 per cent of first preferences offered
4. Grey Court School – 55.6 per cent of first preferences offered
5. The Richmond Upon Thames School – 66.9 per cent of first preferences offered

10 most popular primary schools

1. Barnes Primary School – 49.2 per cent of first preferences offered
2. St Richard Reynolds Catholic Primary School – 57.1 per cent of first preferences offered
3. Marshgate Primary School – 64.4 per cent of first preferences offered
4. St Mary's Hampton Church of England Primary – 65.9 per cent of first preferences offered
5. The Queen's Church of England Primary School – 68.2 per cent of first preferences offered
6. Meadlands Primary School – 71.4 per cent of first preferences offered
7. Sheen Mount Primary School – 71.9 per cent of first preferences offered
8. Archdeacon Cambridge's Church of England Primary School – 72.5 per cent of first preferences offered
9. Bishop Perrin Church of England Primary School – 75.7 per cent of first preferences offered
10. East Sheen Primary School – 77.6 per cent of first preferences offered