More than 86 per cent of Hounslow's pupils starting secondary school in September were offered a place at one of their top three choices.

Figures released this week also show that two thirds of Hounslow students got their first choice, just beating the London average.

Only 7 per cent of parents did not receive an offer for a place in one of their preferential schools and will be offered an alternative option.

A Hounslow Council spokesman said: "We have excellent secondary schools right across the borough, some of which, for historic reasons, are very popular with parents but are unable to take everyone who wants to go there. Our schools are the twelfth highest performing in the country for GCSE's, so parents can rest assured that every child with a place in a Hounslow school will be given the chance to make the best start in life they can."

The figures released by the Pan-London Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme were virtually identical to last year's figures for Hounslow.

Chairman of the London Inter Authority Admissions Group, Graham Carter, said: “For the sixth year running, London’s admissions system has been able to place more than ninety per cent of pupils at a school of their choice and two thirds have been offered a place at their first choice school.

“Co-ordinating admissions in London has meant a fairer distribution of available offers and resulted in more parents getting an offer from one of their preferred schools.”