Conor Ryan writes in the Evening Standard.

The news in yesterday’s paper that fewer London parents are getting their first choice of school suggests we need a more open approach to school admissions. At present, most schools still rely on how close you live to the school as their main admissions criterion, advantaging those who can afford higher house prices near good schools. Sutton Trust research has shown that as a result the top 500 comprehensives only take half the national average for disadvantaged children.

LSE research for the Trust last week found that 89 London academies and other secondary schools have already adopted fairer admissions policies, using ability banding or random ballots so that access to those schools and academies is open to children from a wider area.

If more of London’s most popular schools adopted this approach – perhaps combining inner and outer catchment areas so those living beside schools don’t lose out – more parents would have a chance to apply to good schools. More importantly, those from disadvantaged homes wouldn’t be priced out of applying to the best comprehensives, improving social mobility.

Conor Ryan, Director of Research and Communications The Sutton Trust