Official figures have revealed that 18.4 per cent of children failed to obtain a place at their first-choice secondary school this year.
This underpins criticisms against the government's new admissions code, which came into practice in February 2007.
Although an average of 94 per cent of families were offered a place at one of the schools on their application, statistics suggest fewer were awarded their preferred place.
Kent saw a drop of four per cent from the previous year, rising to nine per cent in Islington.
Headteachers claim the government is misleading parents into believing they have a choice. The reality is likely to inflame parents fiercely protective of their children and enormously competitive over places at leading schools.
With the much-documented perils of teen peer pressure it is unsurprising parents want to avoid schools with a reputation for troublesome students.
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Whether this is due to genuine concern for their children's safety or a fear of their adolescent's increasing independence is debateable.
Yet it is clear there are flaws in the new code. A recent report found schools failing to comply with regulations, in some cases asking parents to commit to financial contributions or grilling them about their marital and financial status.
However, Conservative schools spokesman Nick Gibb argues this is "distracting people from the real issue" of students being denied their first choice.
Although pushy parents are understandably condemned, the reduction of the selection system into a virtual lottery in certain areas has undoubtedly affected a vast proportion of the population.
Shadow Children's Secretary Michael Gove stated: "It is the poorest that are being hit the hardest," whilst many middle-class parents have faced a crackdown on their reliance on talking their way into the top state schools.
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