Appeals by parents whose children have failed to find places in schools of their choice in England have risen by 16%.

Figures published by the Department for Education and Employment show that 72,700 appeals were made in 1996-97 by parents over the non-admission of their children, compared to 62,900 the previous year.

Parents are demanding places in good schools

The increase in disputed admissions decisions was similar in both primary and secondary, although a higher number of parental appeals for primary schools were upheld - 39% compared to 31% in secondary.

The appeals system, in which local authorities and governing bodies are required to provide appeals committees to adjudicate on disputes over school places, was created by the Education Act 1996.

Parental choice over schools and the publishing of league tables have emphasised the importance of finding the "right" school place, which in turn has led to an increase in disputes over admissions to over-subscribed schools.

Class size

The imposition of a maximum class size in primary schools, regardless of the demand for places, is also likely to lead to more parental pressure over getting children into successful schools.

Estelle Morris promises that the appeals procedure is to be made fairer

As the number of disputes continues to rise, education legislation passed earlier this year will seek to improve the appeals process.

The School Standards Minister, Estelle Morris, said in response to the latest figures that the School Standards and Framework Act would "make the appeals process fairer to parents by making the appeals panels entirely independent of the local education authority and the school concerned".