Admissions arrangements for Kent secondary schools for September 2003 have been updated following objections from education chiefs.

Kent County Council (KCC) had objected to application procedures for places at Homewood School, Gravesend Grammar School and Gravesend Grammar School for Girls.

Schools adjudicator Gordon Hainsworth approved the council's policy that all secondary schools should notify parents on the same day whether or not they had been successful in securing their first preference.

But the adjudicator ruled parents should name two schools, in preference order, in the autumn before children take the 11+.

The council had proposed only one preference be expressed at that stage, with second and subsequent preferences expressed after the outcome was known.

The council must also now clarify that some foundation and aided schools may operate an unconditional system whereby children not taking the 11+ test will have priority over those wishing to be assessed for grammar school.

Councillor Leyland Ridings, KCC's cabinet member for school organisation, said: "I am disappointed the adjudicator could not support our proposal to allow parents only one first preference in the autumn.

"This will not be as helpful to parents. Our original proposal was designed so parents would not waste their second preference on schools which had already filled on first preference."

The council is writing to the adjudicator for clarification as to what stage second preferences should be allocated.