Friday 1 March is National Offer Day for families finding out if they have got their first choice of secondary school.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “This can be an anxious time for families. Choosing the right school and securing a place there is a huge moment in a child’s life and not everyone will get their first choice.

“There is extra pressure on secondary admissions this year as there is a pupil population bulge that is currently hitting secondary schools. Many schools are particularly over-subscribed, especially in certain areas of the country.

“The government urgently needs to do more to address the recruitment and retention crisis schools are facing so that there are enough suitably qualified, specialist teachers to cope with the growing numbers of pupils moving through the system, as well as ensuring a co-ordinated approach to place planning.

“Until the government creates a national strategy to guarantee there are enough school places for every child in England, the annual anxious wait for families uncertain whether they will get their preferred place will continue.”