My relatives put their child down for their preferred (and nearest) primary school, along with another five (and they ended up having named the six closest to where they lived). And then they got offered a place at a school that wasn't even on their list. They then had to engage in a war of attrition with Lewisham council to get a change to the decision.

It's difficult - "good" schools are over-subscribed and priority often goes where a child has siblings at the school, even if the family has moved elsewhere. You have to be prepared to pester the council often, but people do withdraw applications - they might be moving elsewhere or may decide on a different school. It ended up fine for my relatives - their child is where they wanted, but it was a stressful few months.