The council is planning to consult parents on proposed changes to school admissions in order to prevent people exploiting the ‘sibling rule’.

Education chiefs are expected to announce a public consultation into plans that would change the current arrangements that give preference to siblings.

Education spokeswoman, Councillor Kathy Tracey, said: “There has been a growing clamour from parents asking us to look at this rule because of mounting evidence that local school places are being offered to children living some distance away simply because they have an older sibling already enrolled there.

“What this does is deny that place to a child who lives much closer to the school, sometimes only a stone’s throw away.”

The council wants to give a greater priority to children who live closest to schools.

Under the existing admission arrangements priority for a school place is given to a younger sibling regardless of where they live.

The council is proposing that sibling priority should only apply in future to children who live within 800 metres of the school. Siblings residing further away would no longer have priority over children living closer.

Coun Tracey added: “There have been cases where schools have had to offer almost all their places to siblings, some of whom may live a considerable distance away, while a child who lives literally a few yards away from the school gates cannot be offered a place.

“We don’t think this is fair which is why we are proposing a solution that will strike the right balance and better meet the needs of parents who live close to our schools.”

Data from the 2014 admissions reveals that 174 children out of 712, offered places on the basis of sibling priority, lived more than 800 metres away from the school.

What do you think about the proposals? Email ssleigh@london.newsquest.co.uk