Schools attempt to 'gazump' rivals in bid for best pupils

State schools are trying to "gazump" each other as they fight to attract the best pupils, research suggests today.

The admissions system is fraught with difficulties that can leave children without a place at any local state school, according to the study from the London School of Economics.

Some head teachers were still operating banned practices such as waiting lists for places.

Others were resorting to dubious practices that suggested schools were attempting covertly to select children on the basis of academic ability.

"Some practices were described that, although they may not break the school admissions code, would be unlikely to be encouraged by policy makers," the researchers said.

"For example, one under-subscribed school was reported to have contacted parents after offer day to invite them to meet the head teacher in the hope of persuading them to reject the offer they had received and instead take up a place at the under-subscribed school."

The report calls for councils to take more control over admissions to faith schools and semi-independent academies, which traditionally run their own affairs.

A government watchdog recently warned that some head teachers were still flouting admissions rules while thousands of parents were cheating to win places at the most popular schools every year.

A third of London parents fail to win a place for their child at their chosen state secondary school.

Competition at grammars and leading comprehensives is stronger than ever as middle-class families seek to save on private school fees in the recession.

In the LSE study, presented at a conference in Euston today, Philip Noden and Anne West call for an overhaul of state school admissions arrangements.

The Government's code would not
be enough to stop schools acting unfairly in how they choose pupils, they said.