School lotto-lucko?

Some move house, others take tests, some become sudden Christians - a few just cross their fingers and hope. It's national offer day - when parents in England find out if their children will be going the school of their choice.

More than half a million children are being allocated secondary school places - and up to a fifth will be denied their top choice.

Some areas are trying a lottery system - to stop middle class families getting an unfair advantage. But that too has faced complaints - and opposition from the Conservatives. James Blake has been to Brighton to find out how well the scheme has worked.

What do you think?

We'd like to hear your thoughts on the school lottery system - send your emails to news@channel4.com

Minister: appeal bad school decisions

Families who have been waiting to hear which school their child will be attending from September are finding out today.

560,000 children will be allocated secondary school places today. Estimates show one fifth of those will be denied their first choice.

Parents unhappy with the secondary school allocated to their children today are being urged by the government to appeal against the decision.

But the body representing headteachers says the government is missing the point.

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