A "significant minority" of schools in England are breaking new laws that were designed to make the admissions system fairer, the government has said.
A "significant minority" of schools in England are breaking new laws that were designed to make the admissions system fairer, the government has said.
In a sample three areas - Manchester, Northamptonshire and Barnet - it found parents illegally being asked for money or information about their backgrounds.
In a sample three areas - Manchester, Northamptonshire and Barnet - it found parents illegally being asked for money or information about their backgrounds.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said it was "shocking" this was still going on.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said it was "shocking" this was still going on.
Official figures showed 18.4% of children failed to get a place at their first choice school this year.
Official figures showed 18.4% of children failed to get a place at their first choice school this year.
Some 94% were however offered a place at one of their three preferred schools.
Some 94% were however offered a place at one of their three preferred schools.
'Unacceptable'
'Unacceptable'
The new, tougher admissions code came into practice in February last year.
The new, tougher admissions code came into practice in February last year.
Ministers asked officials to make the compliance checks.
Ministers asked officials to make the compliance checks.
Manchester, Northamptonshire and Barnet were chosen simply as being representative of a metropolitan authority, a shire county and a London borough - and were areas where there had not been objections to admissions policies.
Manchester, Northamptonshire and Barnet were chosen simply as being representative of a metropolitan authority, a shire county and a London borough - and were areas where there had not been objections to admissions policies.
"We have no reason to think that these areas are any different from any other authorities around the country," said the Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls.
"We have no reason to think that these areas are any different from any other authorities around the country," said the Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls.
"The large majority of schools appear to be complying with the code," he said.
"The large majority of schools appear to be complying with the code," he said.
"However, a significant minority of schools in our sample appear not to be compliant with the code, of which a disproportionate number are voluntary aided or foundation schools."
"However, a significant minority of schools in our sample appear not to be compliant with the code, of which a disproportionate number are voluntary aided or foundation schools."
'Shocking'
'Shocking'
The areas comprise 84 secondary schools and 486 primaries. Of those 570,119 are voluntary aided or foundation schools controlling their own admissions.
The areas comprise 84 secondary schools and 486 primaries. Of those, 119 are voluntary aided or foundation schools controlling their own admissions.
Speaking to journalists, neither Mr Balls nor Mr Knight would put a figure on the number that were apparently acting illegally, pending verification.
Speaking to journalists, neither Mr Balls nor Mr Knight would put a figure on the number that were apparently acting illegally, pending verification.
But Mr Balls said: "When we saw the evidence we were very concerned. This was not a handful, it was certainly in the tens of schools."
But Mr Balls said: "When we saw the evidence we were very concerned. This was not a handful, it was certainly in the tens of schools."
Mr Knight said: "The fact that there are some things that are singled out in primary legislation that are still going on is shocking."
Mr Knight said: "The fact that there are some things that are singled out in primary legislation that are still going on is shocking."
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.
Rules tightened
Rules tightened
Mr Balls said that in a number of cases the requirement for a financial contribution ran into "many hundreds of pounds per term".
Mr Balls said that in a number of cases the requirement for a financial contribution ran into "many hundreds of pounds per term".
Parents of pupils past and present at these schools may seek legal redress Chris Keates National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers
Parents of pupils past and present at these schools may seek legal redress Chris Keates National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers
"I want to be clear that this practice must stop immediately," he said.
"I want to be clear that this practice must stop immediately," he said.
Parents must be told the payments were voluntary and those who wanted their money back should be reimbursed.
Parents must be told the payments were voluntary and those who wanted their money back should be reimbursed.
The general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, Chris Keates, added: "It is also likely, and entirely understandable, that parents of pupils past and present at these schools may seek legal redress to recover monies inappropriately taken from them."
The general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, Chris Keates, added: "It is also likely, and entirely understandable, that parents of pupils past and present at these schools may seek legal redress to recover monies inappropriately taken from them."
The code was intended to stamp out unfair practices that allow schools to select pupils in covert ways.
The code was intended to stamp out unfair practices that allow schools to select pupils in covert ways.
The government is now going to amend a bill currently before Parliament to put a new duty on local authorities to report each year "on the legality, fairness and effectiveness of all school admission arrangements in their area".
The government is now going to amend a bill currently before Parliament to put a new duty on local authorities to report each year "on the legality, fairness and effectiveness of all school admission arrangements in their area".
Local admission forums, which are supposed to monitor arrangements, will be reviewed.
Local admission forums, which are supposed to monitor arrangements, will be reviewed.
Mr Knight said he had spoken to "extremely senior figures" in the Anglican, Catholic and Jewish faiths and they were fully supportive of the government's actions.
Mr Knight said he had spoken to "extremely senior figures" in the Anglican, Catholic and Jewish faiths and they were fully supportive of the government's actions.
Steve Sinnott of the National Union of Teachers said: "The government should also look at other damaging influences on school admissions.
"School performance tables paint a false picture of some schools underperforming which in turn encourages parental anxiety."
Have you been affected by any of the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
Have you been affected by any of the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
