Parents pay lawyers for school admissions

London: Parents are paying more than £1,000 in legal fees as they fight for places at the best state schools.

The recession is fuelling demand for grammar schools and highly rated comprehensives among London families who can no longer afford private schools, or see a good saving in finding an excellent state school.

The waiting ends this week for almost 80,000 London families who have spent months agonising over applications for state secondary schools. Education authorities and head teachers send out letters offering places yesterday.

Last year, more than a third of children were rejected from their first choice schools in the capital, a far higher rate than across the country as a whole. This year, the news may be even more difficult for desperate parents. Tens of thousands of children face rejection from their chosen schools this week. Growing numbers of parents are trying to win places on appeal. However, nine out of 10 appeals fail, so many parents are hiring lawyers.

Lawyer Matt Richards, from Schoolappeals.com, said the appeals process could last up to five months and was often far more intimidating than parents were prepared for. His most comprehensive package of services includes drafting the written submission, preparing parents for the hearing then representing them in front of the appeal panel.