Competition for school places is fierce as every parent fights for their child to have the best education.

In a city like Brighton and Hove with ten secondary schools and more than 50 infant, junior and primary schools it seems parents are spoilt for choice, and more than 90 per cent of parents do get their first preference.

But no two schools are the same and some are heavily oversubscribed, which means some children, and parents, will be left disappointed.

The whole issue of school admissions is further complicated by parents who fill out their preference form with just one choice instead of three, or who fill it out tactically in the vain hope it will give them a better chance of getting the school they want.

Every year Brighton and Hove City Council produces a booklet giving parents the information they need to make an informed choice.

It is due to be sent out to schools in the next few months.

Children, families and schools director David Hawker said: "Admissions are always a problem wherever you are, unless you happen to live in a rural area where there is only one school to go to.

"In any city there is going to be a number of schools and some will be more popular than others.

"Parents have to take advice about which schools are realistic for them to put down."

Parents choosing schools for their children, whether they be infant, junior or secondary, are offered three preferences.

The council tries to accommodate the first preference but if it cannot, it moves on to the second and then the third. If it cannot find a place at any of these schools, it allocates one nearest the child's home.

The process is not as simple as it first seems. Parents wrongly assume if they live in a catchment area or if their child goes to a feeder school then they will get their preference.

But catchment areas are not fixed and fluctuate according to the demographics and number of first preferences made each year.

Mr Hawker said the council tried to listen to parents and had reviewed the admissions process and implemented changes.

He said: "We are still looking at whether or not to remove the sibling rule and whether to publish priority areas before parents put down their preferences.

"It means each school would publish an area in advance. If parents who live within that area put that school down, they are very likely to get it, although we can't guarantee it.

"But we need to look at the knock-on effects of both of those proposals. If you publish priority areas, would schools end up under or oversubscribed? Would everyone try to get into certain schools? Would house prices around the schools rocket, leaving other schools undersubscribed with people trying to move into that area?"

Every year all the schools arrange open evenings for parents of prospective pupils and admissions staff are on hand to answer questions. Inevitably, there are always problems with late or wrongly completed applications.

Mr Hawker said: "We get all sorts of problems with people missing the deadline, saying they handed it in or posted it.

"We have to be quite ruthless no matter what they say otherwise we can't operate the system and it's unfair to other people.

"We would also be open to legal challenge if we bent the rules for an individual.

"That's why we urge people to talk to school staff and the admissions team if they are in any doubt."

There are also problems with reaching some parents and the council uses doctors' surgeries to contact those who have children starting at school.

It is easier for those already in the school system as the council sends out forms and the booklet when it is time to apply.

A senior admissions officer said: "We have tried not to use official language or jargon in the booklet.

"The process is improving and we are improving the computer systems, which means it is a lot easier to administer as the years go on and also our knowledge and experience increases.

"We send out application forms and put up posters anywhere we can think parents might go.

"Anyone who hasn't applied by the three dates is counted as a late application.

"Even if it comes in a day after the deadline, they are dealt with after anyone who put an application in on time."

For more details, call 01273 293653 or email schooladmissions@brighton-hove.gov.uk SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: PARENTS' TOP TEN MISTAKES 1. Putting the same school three times does not increase the chances of getting a place there.

2. Do not apply late as you are more likely to be disappointed.

3. Do not apply for a popular school on the other side of the city as it is unlikely you will get a place unless you already have a child at the school.

4. Do not list your older child's school as a second preference. Many parents assume if there is an older child at the school the younger sibling will automatically get a place.

5. Read the booklet as it will help you to understand the process.

6. Do not assume because you live in last year's catchment area you will get a place as areas vary from year to year.

7. Make sure you put the names of all the children in your household on the form.

8. Don't give false information. Checks are made and the onus is on you to prove where you live.

9.Do not give the form to your child to hand in. Every year there are cases where they are lost or preferences changed.

10. Do put a second preference. The council will assume if you only list one school and do not get it, you do not mind which school you get.