There were some disappointed families but Croydon Council says despite an increase in demand two thirds of applicants still got their first choice of secondary school place this week.

This year the council has received 150 more secondary school applications than last year; this 4 per cent rise is equivalent to five extra 30-pupil classes.

A further three extra classes’ worth of applications for year 7 secondary places have also arrived since the closing date in October and are yet to be allocated a school.

Despite the increase, to a total of 4,128 new secondary pupils, every Croydon child who applied on time to start secondary school from this September has received an offer.

Eighty nine per cent of parents and carers received an offer for their child to attend one of their top three school preferences, and 66 per cent got their first choice.

Parents of children starting primary school from September who applied before the October 2014 deadline will receive an offer on April 16.

Did you get the school you wanted? Has your child been left without a place at one of their top three school choices? Call the newsroom on 020 8722 6353 or email rfisk@london.newsquest.co.uk

Council leader Councillor Tony Newman said: "Croydon has had exceptional demand for extra primary school places for several years, and this is now creating more demand for secondary school places.

"I am delighted that so many parents will receive such good news about their son or daughter’s school place despite the increase in applications.

"The council is one of only three London boroughs to have achieved 100 per cent online applications in both primary and secondary admission rounds, and I’d like to thank all the parents who applied this year for helping us make the switch to applying online."