London secondary school applications down by 4,000 after fall in birthrate

Eight in 10 nationally get first choice of school while capital's falling numbers are likely to squeeze budgets

London's secondary schools are following primaries in being hit by an outflow of families from the capital, with 4,000 fewer children applying to start in September.

Admissions figures released on national offer day in England also show that 70% of families in London received their first choice of school, compared with more than 80% nationally.