The idea that parents can choose the best state school for their children is a "myth" created by ministers, a teachers' union has said.
Families are being "misled" by the Government over the availability of places, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said.
And it blamed parents feeling let down by false expectations for schools being bogged down in appeals.
The criticism came as more than half a million pupils await letters telling them where they will attend secondary school. It is estimated 100,000 will miss out on their preferred school.
And there are fears the new school admissions code could see fewer pupils getting in to their first choice school.
ASCL general secretary Dr John Dunford said: "School choice is a myth. Parents have been led to believe by political rhetoric from all parties that they have a right to send their child to the schools of their choice.
"When parents are disappointed, they turn to the appeals system which then leads to huge amounts of bureaucracy for schools.
"Oversubscribed schools spend many, many hours, which should be used for teaching and learning, on justifying admissions decisions."
He called for the Government to impose "national principles" on selection and restrict the power of appeal boards.
Schools Minister Jim Knight insisted parents had more choice now than a decade ago. He said: "The vast majority of parents get a place at a preferred school - most at their first choice."
