Parents warned over using fake addresses to win school places

File photo dated 06/07/11 of children at school raising their hands to answer a question as schools admissions policies are being looked into amid worries that summer-born children are falling behind in the classroom.

Figures from the region’s councils show that 25 places have been withdrawn or applications blocked as a result of fraudulent information being provided to local councils.

Town hall leaders say that although this represents a small percentage of the parents applying there are regularly people willing to cheat the system. The Yorkshire Post asked education authorities under the Freedom of Information Act how many investigations into alleged school admission fraud they had carried out in 2014 and 2015.

Figures reveal more than 70 investigations have been carried out in the space of two years.

In Calderdale there have been nine investigations in the past four years. Twice this resulted in a school place being removed.

Calderdale Council said it checks whenever there is a discrepancy between the home address given on the form and the one the authority has on record. It says the majority of these applications are genuine.

A Local Government Association spokeswoman said: “Councils have a crucial role in making sure that school admissions are fair and transparent, and will take firm action.”