More faith schools admit cash demands

More faith schools have asked parents for money on their application forms.

The row over admissions deepened after the number of Barnet state primary schools admitting breaching the national code rose from four to seven.

Schools Secretary Ed Ball declared last week that dozens - even hundreds - of primaries and secondaries were breaking the law by requesting payments or giving priority to siblings over children in care homes.

His statement came after an investigation into Barnet, Northamptonshire and Manchester.

Faith school headteachers admitted wrongly requesting "voluntary" payments but attacked Mr Balls for going to the media before giving them a chance to comply.

A Barnet council spokeswoman refused to name the schools, but said there were four Jewish, two Catholic schools and one Anglican primary involved. She said they had now removed their cash demands.