Having a child baptised is seen as a way into the best schools

The number of baptisms of children aged between one and 13 has risen by almost a quarter since 1958, according to the Pastoral Research Centre Trust.

The researchers say "lapsed" Catholics are behind the rise in late baptisms.

The study also suggests 64% of babies aged under one were baptised in 2005, compared to 85% in 1958.

The trust's Tony Spencer said that a lapse in religious discipline meant some parents were having their children baptised between the ages of two and three after realising it would help them gain a place at an oversubscribed Catholic school.

'Good thing'

"It is a great compliment from the community at large to the quality of the Catholic school system," Mr Spencer said.

The trust added that the falling infant mortality rate has also meant parents are less concerned about having their children baptised.

Oona Stannard, director of the Catholic Education Service for England and Wales, said it was reassuring that people sought baptism for their children, regardless of age.

"That the child is brought into the Church and the family's bond with the Church strengthened can only but be a good thing, irrespective of whether the child does eventually have the benefit of attending a Catholic school," she said.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "As Ed Balls made clear only this week, it is for local communities to determine the types of schools that they want.

"All schools are bound by our new admissions code which stipulates fair admissions policy for all schools. Schools are under a legal duty to promote community cohesion, understanding and tolerance."

Read a selection of your comments on this story:

I would love to send my daughter and son to a Catholic Secondary School in Burgess Hill, which is performing well in league tables and is an excellent school. However I am probably not going to be able to do this as, although my children and myself and my husband are all baptised, we are Church of England, and we regularly attend the local village church which we all love. I am in a dilemma in that if I put her name down as first choice for this school, I will probably be discriminated against as we are not catholic and she will not be offered a place - however my friend who is catholic will get her daughter in, as I believe this school will only take catholics first and it is well oversubscribed.
Carolyn James, West Sussex

While only being involved in the school system as a grandparent I must stress that it takes much more than being baptised to get into a Catholic school (especially a secondary school) the parents have to be able to demonstrate that they are PRACTISING Catholics and involved with their local church community. I have one grandson at secondary school and two more due to start next September and, despite the parents having ALWAYS being heavily involved with their local churches, there is no guarantee that either of them will get a place. Also, I must say that the parish priests are fully aware of the parents who suddenly become very active in their parishes when school application forms are due!!
Val Neary, Purley, UK

It is true that parents who do not attend church for years try and get their children baptised to gain entry to Catholic schools often claiming the child has expressed a wish/interest in the faith when they are ten. As a priest I will not baptise and child over 7 unless they are attending mass regularly and a first holy