Popular state schools will be allowed to exceed their admission numbers and to take in up to 26 extra pupils a year above their official limit, ministers have proposed.

The move aims to ease parental dissatisfaction over lack of school choice. Official figures show that nearly a fifth of children did not gain a place at their first-choice secondary school for the term starting in September. A survey carried out by The Times suggests that up to a quarter of parents did not get a place at their preferred primary in some areas.

Jim Knight, the Schools Minister, said that the school admissions code would be altered to ensure that applications for all schools would be made in the parents’ home authority, regardless of where the school was located or at what point in the school year applications were made.

A standardised application form would be brought in for use by parents in every local authority area, and schools would be allowed to expand their pupil numbers without going through a statutory process.

“Over nine out of ten children already get a place at one of their preferred schools – the vast majority get their first choice – thanks to there being undeniably better schools than a decade ago,” Mr Knight said.

The proposals, outlined in a consultation document, also aim to end the damaging row over school admissions sparked by government revelations this year that some faith schools were breaching admissions rules by asking parents to contribute hundreds of pounds when they applied for a place. The reforms to the code would also prevent schools from using backdoor selection by alluding in their admissions code to any requirement of a practical commitment to the school that could involve parents having to give up their time – for example by supporting parish activities – or money in exchange for a school place.

Schools will, however, be allowed to ask parents to complete a form promising to accept the school’s “ethos” and they will be able to refuse to offer places to parents who do not sign.

Where faith schools are oversubscribed, they will still be allowed to give priority to active worshippers.

The document, open to public consultation until October 2, also proposes giving parents a legal right to apply to at least three primary schools. Currently some parents can apply for only one.

Head teachers gave a warning, however, that many schools would not want to expand for fear of “diluting” the quality of education they offer.

Martin Johnson, deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said he was concerned that schools would be allowed to ask parents to support their ethos. “We think this would further endorse selective admissions, and divide children on religious grounds,” he said.

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