Schools: Admissions Code

Baroness Pinnock Excerpts

Wednesday 9th March 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

I will refer that to the Leader of the House.

[Baroness Pinnock (LD)]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for saying in response to the earlier question that parents will be at the heart of school admissions policy because, in her latest report, the Chief Schools Adjudicator states that:

“Admission arrangements for too many schools that are their own admission authority”—

that is, academies—

“are unnecessarily complex. The arrangements appear to be more likely to enable the school to choose which children to admit”.

What action is the Minister proposing to ensure fair access for all children?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

The schools admission system is working well. Last year, the adjudicator received 218 objections, but they related to just 1.1% of schools. Of course it is right that parents can raise their objections when they need to, which is why we also propose to give them a greater voice by requiring admissions authorities to consult on their arrangements every four years rather than every seven years as currently.