One of the borough’s academies has seen a record number of applicants for the next academic year.

Richmond Park Academy has urged parents to respond to places quickly after it sent out 200 offers for 180 year 7 spots.

Simon Danciger, chairman of governors, welcomed the applications.

He said: “What is most noticeable is that the overwhelming majority of applicants are from our local community, with over 95 per cent from our most immediate SW13, SW14 and SW15 postcodes.

“Not only will September’s year 7 cohort be our largest for many years, it will also be our most local intake.”

Applications for the academy’s sixth form, which opens this September, are running at twice the level initially anticipated.