Thousands of children across south London learnt what secondary school they will be going to in September on Tuesday.

But with many local authorities having far more applications than places, hundreds of parents and children were set to be disappointed and not get into any of their first three choice schools.

Merton is one of the worst affected councils in the country with just 1,699 places for 2,060 year 7 children in the borough- a shortfall of 361.

Croydon also falls slightly short with 4,220 first year secondary school places for 4,260 applications.

The actual shortfall could be much higher as the figures only apply to on time applications received before January.

In contrast, Sutton has 3,084 places for 2,240 children and Wandsworth has 2,177 but received only 2,058 on time applications.

But Merton Council insists it has provided a secondary school place for every child applying for a place in Merton from September.

The council said although it received more secondary school applications this year, more children were offered a high preference school than last year.

More than 88.5 per cent of children have been offered a place in one of their top three preferred schools with 65 per cent receiving a place at their first preference.

Harris Academy Merton is providing an additional 30 places this September, and a permanent expansion is being built which will enable it to provide 60 extra places in September 2017, totalling 300 places over the next five years.

The council is working with the Department for Education to secure a site for a new Harris Academy secondary school in the south Wimbledon area. 

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The department is currently working with the London Borough of Merton to identify suitable premises for the school.

"More details will be announced in due course.”

Merton council’s cabinet member for education Councillor Martin Whelton said: “We have provided a secondary school place for every child whose application was submitted on time and make every effort to meet parental preference wherever possible.

"We are working on creating more secondary school places to accommodate an increasing number of children wanting to be educated in our continually improving secondary schools, all of which are Ofsted-rated Good or Outstanding.

"In February, the cabinet gave the go-ahead for the expansion of the oversubscribed Harris Merton which will provide 30 extra places and we are continuing to work on providing the borough with a brand new six-form secondary school.

"This builds on our successful primary school expansion which, by 2018, will result in 4,000 additional places being created. 

"Where families have not received a preferred school, we encourage them to read the information provided with their outcome letter which gives further advice and guidance.”