Time To Re-think How The School Admissions System Works in England?
The Government wants to make the schools’ admission process fairer and more transparent for parents. It should end the current situation of admission procedures in one county being different to another.
So the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) is asking the public to comment on a proposed new school admissions system.
Some of the proposals for the new admissions system are as follows:
- all parents’ applications for schools will be coordinated by the local authority where they live, whenever they are made and whatever the age of the child. This will give parents a single point of enquiry for all school applications.
- clarifying the existing School Admissions Code to underline that schools can ask parents to support their ethos, as long as it doesn’t imply parents must give time or money in support of that ethos;
- giving parents the legal right to apply to at least three primary schools. Currently some parents can only apply for one;
- creating a standardised application form, to be used by every local authority, where parents can express their preferences;
- introducing consultation with parents and other groups on any proposed changes to the admission arrangements
- improving the information that local authorities give parents so they can make clear and reasoned choices;
- encouraging own-admissions schools to contract outside organisations, including religious authorities, to handle their appeals’ administration This increases transparency and lifts the burden of appeals from school staff. This already happens in some areas.
- fleshing out new measures in the current Education and Skills Bill, to ensure that local authorities and schools comply with admissions law, so every child has a fair and equal chance of getting into a school of their choice.
Back in February 2008 we saw a new School Admissions Code that applies to all maintained schools setting admission arrangements for September 2008 onwards.
Every child between the ages of 5 and 16 is entitled to a place at a state school, but admission is not automatic. Where possible, a child is offered a place at their parents’ preferred school. Where a school is over-subscribed, admissions criteria are used to allocate places.
Admissions criteria vary depending on the area you live in. Some schools use a system of random allocation. However, all admissions procedures must follow guidance set out in the School Admissions Code.
Some common criteria include siblings already attending school, living in the school catchment area and attending a linked primary school.
The new proposed changes should standardise the admissions system and make the admissions procedure fair and transparent.. This, must surely be a positive step forward.
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed changes has until 2nd October 2008 and can see the consultation document at www.dfes.gov.uk/sacode/pdf/SchoolAdmissions_consult_aw5.pdf
Published 14/07/2008. The author of this article is Simon Musannif
