MORE THAN nine out of ten Devon families received their first preference of secondary school this year.

MORE THAN nine out of ten Devon families received their first preference of secondary school this year.Figures published today show 90.72 per cent of applicants received their first preference for a secondary school for this September.That compares with 89.5 per cent this time last year - an increase of more than one per cent.The figure will also rise during the year as appeals are heard from families who did not receive their first preference for a place in September.In all, 99.26 per cent of applicants received one of their three preferences for a secondary school.This year Devon County Council's admissions team dealt with applications from over 7,500 families.A record 81 per cent applied for a secondary school place using Devon's online system. This is up from just 18 per cent four years ago.