SIXTEEN per cent of parents were not offered a place at their preferred secondary school this year.

More than 400 children in Brighton and Hove did not get a place at their first preference school, a five per cent decrease from last year.

But the proportion of children losing out on their preferred school in the area is still higher than anywhere else in Sussex.

Brighton and Hove City Council education chief Councillor John Allcock said children were assured of high-quality education whichever school they went to.

“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to offer so many parents their preferred secondary school,” he said.

“But the best news of all for local parents is that all our secondary schools are now rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

“This is thanks to the work and dedication of our excellent teachers, governors and support staff.

“So children and young people are assured of a high quality education whichever school they go to.”

Ninety nine children in the city did not receive a place at any of their three preferred schools.

A city council spokesman said this was because some parents did not choose any schools in their catchment area and others missed the deadline.

Meanwhile slightly more than 13 per cent of children in West Sussex did not receive a place at their first-choice secondary school, an improvement on last year.

West Sussex County Council education chief Councillor Nigel Jupp said the “vast majority” had been offered their preference.

“I am grateful to schools for working so well with our planning and admissions staff, who again processed over 9,000 applicants this year,” he said.

“I’m pleased that once again every pupil who applied has been given a secondary place.

“This is an exciting time for these young people who can now begin planning to further their education this September.”

A county council spokesman added “a very small number of pupils” were not offered a place at any of their three preferred schools.

“We would advise parents, carers and students to contact our admissions teams who are available to discuss their options,” he said.

Just under 12 per cent of children in East Sussex missed out on their preferred school, also an improvement.

More than 200 children in the area did not receive a place at any of their three preferred schools.