Schools in some areas are breaking new rules designed to make the admissions system fairer.
Schools in some areas are breaking new rules designed to make the admissions system fairer.
A government probe found schools in Manchester, Northamptonshire and Barnet had illegally asked parents for money or information about their backgrounds.
A government probe found schools in Manchester, Northamptonshire and Barnet had illegally asked parents for money or information about their backgrounds.
It comes as new figures showed nearly one in five children failed to get a place at their first choice secondary school in England this year.
It comes as new figures showed nearly one in five children failed to get a place at their first choice secondary school in England this year.
Some 81.6% of the 519,312 children who applied got places at their top school.
Some 81.6% of the 519,312 children who applied got places at their top school.
'Unacceptable'
'Unacceptable'
The schools in question were caught asking parents banned questions about their marital status, financial background or even for financial contributions to the school.
The schools in question were caught asking parents banned questions about their marital status, financial background or even for financial contributions to the school.
All of these requests are outlawed under the new admissions code which came into force last year.
All of these requests are outlawed under the new admissions code which came into force last year.
The code was intended to stamp out unfair practices that allow schools to select pupils that they think will be more able.
The code was intended to stamp out unfair practices that allow schools to select pupils that they think will be more able.
Executive Director of the Association of Directors of Children's Services Chris Waterman told the BBC: "What they have found is, in spite of the code, schools are still asking parents to make a financial contribution as a condition of admission - which is illegal.
Executive Director of the Association of Directors of Children's Services Chris Waterman told the BBC: "What they have found is, in spite of the code, schools are still asking parents to make a financial contribution as a condition of admission - which is illegal.
"They are asking about the marital status of parents - which isn't allowed.
"They are asking about the marital status of parents - which isn't allowed.
"This is totally unacceptable and very much against the excellent school admissions code that was published a year ago."
"This is totally unacceptable and very much against the excellent school admissions code that was published a year ago."
Teachers' leaders claim the notion of school choice raises false expectations.
Teachers' leaders claim the notion of school choice raises false expectations.
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