Headteacher calls for honesty as school admissions deadline looms

The headteacher of one of the Midlands' most popular schools is calling for greater powers to stop parents cheating the school admissions system.

Rob McDonough, the head of The West Bridgford School in Nottinghamshire, says a small number of parents lie about their home address on the application form to get their child into their preferred school.

Every year Mr McDonough and his admissions team try to spot fraudulent applications. Schools and councils can withdraw offers of places if fraud has taken place, but only in the child's first term. Mr McDonough wants schools to be able to withdraw offers at any time.

A Department for Education spokesperson said:

October 31st is the deadline for parents to submit applications for children starting secondary school next September.