MORE than 600 families have missed out on their preferred school for their child this September.
Figures from the Department for Education reveal that 327 families in the city and 307 in the county weren't given an offer at their first-choice school.
It has led a county education chief to express frustration that some children won't be going where their parents want them to go.
The majority were given an offer at their second or third-choice school.
Councillor Philip Owen, chairman of the children and young people's committee at Notts County Council, said: "I'm happy that most parents got their first choice and most of the rest got one of their three preferences.
"But I'm disappointed if there's one child that doesn't go to the school that their parents wish them to attend.
"We firmly believe that parents should be able to make the choice of where to send their child to school. When this occurs they are often more supportive of that school."
Parents whose children are in Year 6 at primary school were asked to pick three secondary schools they wanted their child to attend from September, in order of preference.
They received offers on March 1 letting them know which ones they had been successful at.
The figures have just been unveiled by the Department for Education, showing that 95.9 per cent of the 7,499 first-choice applications in Notts were granted. The corresponding figure in the city was 87.8 per cent of 2,678 applications.
Nationally, 86.7 per cent got a place at their first-choice school.
Seventy-two families in Nottingham did not get an offer at any of the schools they wanted.
Councillor David Mellen, portfolio holder for children's services at the city council, said the capacity and popularity of some schools made it impossible for some families' wishes to be granted.
Trinity School, in Aspley, was the most popular city school, receiving 548 applications for the 165 Year 7 places available.
Bluecoat School, in Aspley, and Fernwood, in Wollaton, also had significantly more applications compared with places.
Trinity head teacher Michael McKeever said they simply did not have room for all those wanting to attend.
Mr Mellen added: "You are not going to get every parent getting their first choice of school.
"We have many popular schools in the city which receive a huge amount of applications. Places can't be given to them all.
"What is important is that all schools improve. Places are given out and we have to make sure there is a balance between the schools that we have."
Parents who did not get their preferred choices still have the option to appeal against the decision. The appeals must be submitted in the next two weeks and all hearings will be held by June 19.
