Parent fury as school place 'lottery' plan wins approval

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Postcode will no longer help children gain a place at their preferred school

Under the Government's controversial new admissions code, places at popular State schools can now be awarded at random, regardless of whether a child lives nearby.

The system is designed to stop wealthier families 'buying' into the best State schools by moving to be within the catchment area.

It means children in affluent areas will no longer gain automatic entry to a local school and could instead find themselves being bussed to a failing school across town if their first choice is oversubscribed.

As The Mail on Sunday reported last month, plans to introduce a pilot scheme in Brighton have led to local fury.

Now, Government-appointed adjudicator Canon Richard Lindley, who held a public meeting to listen to the protests, has approved the plans, to run from September next year.

The scheme has already led to a rise of more than 100 per cent in enquiries to local private schools.

Canon Lindley dismissed more than 50 objections, concluding that 'a greater degree of justice' was likely from the new arrangements, which were 'a reasonable means of exercising a tie-break function'.

Hundreds of parents attended public meetings and almost 4,000 people signed a petition after the plans were announced.

Education experts predict the Brighton backlash will be a precursor to a series of battles between parents and Government across England and Wales.

Local pressure group, Schools 4 Communities described the decision as a damming indictment of Britain's education system.