Fifth of pupils 'denied first choice school'

About 100,000 children missed out on their first choice of secondary school last year, according to figures produced by the Conservatives.

The party used data collected under freedom of information laws to show that parents of nearly one in five pupils had to settle for a back up option.

And one in 14, the figures showed, did not get any of their six preferred options.

The problems were particularly acute in inner city areas, with half of parents in London boroughs such as Southwark missing out on their first choice of school.

Ahead of this year's annual admissions decision day on March 4, shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said: "These figures show that for large numbers of parents the idea that they can choose a school for their children is a myth.

"At the moment there aren't enough good school places to go round.

"The most acute problems are in inner city areas which means that it is the poorest children who miss out.

"We will give every parent in Britain the legal power to take their child out of a school they think is failing and apply to a new academy.

"This will give all parents a meaningful choice of school and make schools and teachers accountable to parents."

However schools minister Jim Knight said: "There are now only 176 schools where less than a quarter of pupils gain five good GCSEs, compared to 616 schools in 1997.

"Because there are far more good and improving schools across the country, parents have more options.

"Every parent already has the legal right and power to take their child out of any school and apply to any new school including an academy, so there is nothing new in what the Tories are proposing."

He went on: "The vast majority of parents get a place at a preferred school - most at their first choice.

"Research suggests the vast majority of parents are satisfied with the admissions process and most are happy with their local schools."