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Monday 2 March

Parental preference rules when it comes to education in Wales: parents can apply to send their child to the school of their choice.

But what happens when that school is oversubscribed and there are no places left for them?

As local education authorities currently consider applications for the next school year, Eye on Wales looks at the dilemmas facing some parents trying to get their child into their chosen school.

A Freedom of Information search reveals the lengths some parents will go to. Eight of Wales' 22 local authorities have uncovered instances of fraudulent or misleading pupil applications; one area saw 30 such cases last year alone.

This is affecting not only comprehensive education but primaries too, as parents jostle for places at the more popular schools.

The programme meets parents who have taken various routes through the schools catchment maze.

One is educating her daughter at home; a second has rented out her home and moved into rented accommodation in the hope of securing a place; and another who is sending her children to her local comprehensive despite its poor reputation.