Allocating secondary school places by lottery has split communities, created rows between friends, and led to a “dog’s dinner” of a system, parents in Brighton said yesterday.

Brighton has introduced fixed catchment areas in an attempt to prevent the most popular schools being overwhelmed by applicants. Within these zones, places have been designated by lottery so that no priority is given to pupils living closer to the better schools.

At the gates of Stanford Junior School, parents spoke of little else. The new system has redrawn boundaries, removing some from a catchment area that encompasses the best schools. Those with older children at those schools spoke with relief, as priority has been given to their younger children.

Julia Jeffrey said: “We’re in a fortunate position. My daughter is already at Dorothy Stringer which is oversubscribed, and because of the sibling link my son will get in.

“Unfortunately, because the catchment area has changed, a lot of his friends will end up going elsewhere. It means he’s a bit isolated. If he’d been sent to one of the other schools he would have to catch a bus; it’s too far to walk.”

Those left disappointed by the lottery allocation included Cascade Martin, whose daughter, Jessie Delrivo, was not given a place at her first-preference school, Dorothy Stringer. The school is so popular that last year pupils had to live less than a mile away to win a place.

Ms Martin, 38, said: “I do feel gutted because she was so adamant she wanted to go to Dorothy Stringer. She has her second place, Varndean, which I used to think was a good school but I’ve been told it’s gone downhill. I am annoyed because we’re so close to it and we sent the form straight back.

“We won’t appeal because I don’t think it would get us anywhere and it would get her hopes up. I do think the lottery system is unfair and has created a lot of resentment.”

Another mother, who did not want to be identified, said: “It’s an absolute dog’s dinner. This is going to mess up communities.”

Conrad Hamer, a sales manager, said that his daughter, Skye, was refused a place at their nearest school, Blatchington Mill.Mr Hamer, 41, is considering appealing. He said: “We can see Blatchington Mill from outside our door and the neighbourhood children go there.”

“A lot of parents round here have sufficient income to send their children private if they don’t get the school of their choice.”

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