Schools: Admissions Debate

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Department: Department for Education
Monday 17th July 2023

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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As I tried to set out in my initial Answer, we believe that all children have equal access. Only when a school is oversubscribed can the admissions authority introduce additional restrictions. Indeed, many faith schools do not restrict on the basis of faith.

Baroness Whitaker Portrait Baroness Whitaker (Lab)
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How does the Minister respond to these remarks from a parent in Oldham who told Humanists UK that

“the 2021 Census found that those of no religion, and those of other faiths than Christianity, now form a majority of the population in our town. So it is a great injustice that one of the best schools in Oldham actively prevents local children from benefiting from its excellent teaching”?

Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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If there is a specific example where the noble Baroness believes that the admissions code is not being followed by a school, I will be delighted for her to refer it to me.