School admissions framework: Legal update

Parents and carers are due to find out if their child has been offered a place at their first preference primary school on 16 April 2020 (“national offer day” for primary school places in England). While parents and carers do have the right to express a preference for a particular school in the application process, there is no guarantee of a place being offered at their preferred school or schools.

The Department for Education figures show that in 2019 at primary level, 90.6 per cent of applicants received an offer of their first choice school and 97.5 per cent received an offer of one of their top three preferences. All children have the right to an education that is suitable for their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs that they may have. However, there are concerns that the current school admissions framework does not support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in society. While the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers has narrowed by at least 9.5 per cent since 2011, the current admissions process continues to lead to poorer outcomes for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.