The Council is taking firm action against parents who attempt to cheat the school admissions system by providing false information, particularly fake addresses, to secure places at popular schools.
Southend's schools, including its selective grammar schools, attract applications from across the region. With high demand and limited places, the Council prioritises children living within designated catchment areas. All applications are rigorously checked to ensure they are genuine.
This year, the Council's Counter Fraud Team, working in partnership with the School Admissions Team, investigated eight suspicious applications. Seven of those were found to be fraudulent, resulting in the withdrawal of school place offers.
Based on the average cost of secondary education, around £6,000 per pupil per year, this equates to £294,000 in public funding being redirected back to children who genuinely live in Southend.
Cllr Laurie Burton, Cabinet Member for Children, Learning and SEND, said: "Every school place obtained through deception denies a Southend child their rightful opportunity.
"Providing false information to gain a place is fraud, and we are committed to protecting fairness in the admissions process. Working with our Counter Fraud Team, we will take action to investigate and, where necessary, prosecute those who try to cheat the system."
While most families apply honestly and in good faith, a small number go to great lengths to mislead the process. The Council is seeing an increase in these types of investigations and will continue to strengthen its detection and enforcement efforts.
Report school admissions fraud
If you suspect someone is committing school admissions fraud, you can report it in confidence to the Council's Counter Fraud and Investigation Team:
- Call: 01702 215254
- Email: CounterFraud@southend.gov.uk