Peter Clarke wants a debate across Wales on the issue

Peter Clarke says the current system of catchment areas is fundamentally flawed and does not take into account the needs of some children.

He is calling for a national debate on the way local authorities decide where children go to school.

But Education Minister Jane Davidson said the current system operates fairly across Wales.

The Welsh Assembly Government said parents have the right to say which school they would like their children to go to, but if the school is oversubscribed, there is no guarantee.

Eleven-year-old Sophie Jones from Cardiff has not been to lessons since she left her primary school last July, and is now being taught at home.

If we talk to the children, we can plot a course forward that's in the best interests of everyone. Peter Clarke

Her friends now go to Whitchurch High School in the city, but Sophie lives outside the catchment area.

Cardiff Council said the school was oversubscribed and full, with 395 applicants for 357 places.

Her mother Michelle Jones said the situation was unfair on Sophie.

"We've told her we'll put her in another school, but she doesn't want to go anywhere else," she said.

"We just want someone to listen and realise she needs to be in school with her friends.

"She thinks she's done something wrong."

Last month the Conservatives said they would phase in plans to prevent schools giving admission to pupils who live closest.

The Tories said it would depend on driving up standards in all schools in an area to give parents more choice under a "pupil passport" scheme.

Mr Clarke said local authorities did not fully comprehend the problems the current system was creating.

Sophie Jones says it is lonely learning on her own

"I don't think they have a full understanding of what this is going to mean for some individual children," he said.

"That's why I think we need in every local authority and across Wales to start a dialogue.

"They must understand what it means for a child to be not able to go to the school where their friends are, where it's easier for them to go

"If we talk to the children, it will be firmly on the radar and we can plot a course forward that's in the best interests of everyone."

Margaret Morrissey of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations agreed that the system needed looking at.

"It's difficult to say 'get rid of all catchment areas' as this may exacerbate the problem but it's certainly a growing concern," she said.

However, Education Minister Jane Davidson said the current system "operates fairly across Wales with pupils generally going to their local school and going on to secondary school with most of their friends".

She said she was always happy to look at ways to make the system fairer "but we need to make sure the system benefits the vast majority of children in Wales".