The schools adjudicator has ruled that Sutton grammar schools will not be forced to change their admissions policies despite claims that they disadvantage poorer, local children.

Sutton parent Spencer Cullen lodged an objection with the adjudicator about the over-subscription policies of Sutton Grammar School for Boys, Wallington County Grammar School and Wilson's School.

He said the combination of infinite catchment areas and highest rank order selection means ordinary Sutton children are in unfair competition with tutored, privately-educated children from across London.

The adjudicator, Janet Mokades, received more than 400 letters from parents and others.

She agreed there are valid concerns about the chances of boys from the most disadvantaged areas of Sutton but ruled that the schools' admissions should be determined by the school's governing bodies.

Mr Cullen said: “I was disappointed because I wasn't asking for much.

“I wasn't asking for all places to be reserved for Sutton children but just a certain percentage.

“I was hopeful that we would get something but we have got nothing.”

Mr Cullen feels a full public debate is now needed.

Damien Charnock, the head teacher at Wilson's School, said: “We recognise that the objection raised serious issues which we have no intention of ignoring.

“It is a fact that the number of applicants to this school has risen very significantly over the last ten or so years and that has placed greater pressure on places.

“The Governing Body will be considering a range of possible ways in which we might be able to limit to some extent the number of applicants to the school and protect the interests that Sutton parents have in our school.

“We certainly share the concerns of the objector that boys from deprived areas within the authority are not currently gaining places in sufficient numbers and we wish to work closely and urgently with primary schools and the local authority in addressing that issue in particular.”