Parents use fake addresses to 'game' school places

Parents are being warned that their children will have offers of a place at school withdrawn if they give a false address.

The fraud investigation team at Southend-on-Sea City Council said more than 50 applications for selective schools raised concerns and were proactively checked.

Of those, 15 were placed under investigation and three offers of selective school places were withdrawn.

Liberal Democrat councillor Robert McMullan, chairman of the audit and governance committee, said it was "unacceptable for parents to try and game the system".

McMullan added that parents could be "denying a chance" to a child in Southend "who has worked hard to achieve that place".

"It's potentially damaging to children if they find they have had an offer withdrawn and they're not able to go to the school they set their hearts on."

The report was presented to the council's audit and governance committee on Monday.

It explained that a further eight applications were rejected before a formal offer from the school could be made.

Various selective schools are listed on the council's website, which give priority to children who live locally.

The grammar schools include Southend High School for Boys, Southend High School for Girls, Westcliff High School for Boys and Westcliff High School for Girls.

St Thomas More High School and St Bernard's High School allocate based on faith, as well as locality.

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