Fewer Southend pupils have been offered a place at their secondary school of choice, figures reveal.

Department for Education data shows 67.5% of pupils starting secondary school in Southend in September have been offered a place at their preferred school – down from 76.4% last year.

It means 707 children have missed out on their top choice.

Across England, 81.1% of children received an offer from their preferred school, down from 82.2% last year.

Across Essex the data shows 82.2% of pupils starting secondary school in Essex in September have been offered a place at their preferred school – down from 85.5% last year.

It means 2,914 children have missed out on their top choice.

The Association of School and College Leaders says with high competition for places at schools with good or outstanding Ofsted ratings, the Government should do more to help struggling schools so that children have access to a good place.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said secondary school pupils who miss out on their school of choice, may be forced to travel long distances or being separated from their peers.

He added: “The Government’s own figures show that an extra 418,000 secondary school places will be needed in England by 2027, to meet the 14.7% rise in pupil population.

“There is a desperate need for long-term planning that spans all sectors.”

The figures also show the number of applications to secondary schools in Southend has increased by 3% to 2,176.

Meanwhile, the proportion of primary school pupils who have been offered their first choice of school is down from 88% last year to 85.4%.