Briefing: Crib sheet - School admissions

Did they ever update the law on school admissions? It's still inprogress - the Education and Inspections Bill is due to pass throughParliament by today (8 November), and implementation will begin afterthat date.

In the expectation that the Bill passes, the Government is consulting ona new school admissions code, a school admissions appeals code, anddraft regulations. They are due to come into force in February 2007.

Why do they need updating? The Education and Skills Select Committee hascriticised the schools admissions system. Parents don't really have thepower to choose their child's school, while schools have the power (andautonomy) to choose the children they wish to admit. In October 2005,the Government issued its white paper on education, Higher Standards:better schools for all, leading to another select committee report thatexpressed doubt that proposals to introduce safeguards such as choiceadvisers for parents would improve parental choice. The issue isinequality - parents and children in disadvantaged areas have lesschoice about finding a place in a good school. The Government agreed totighten up the new legislation and codes of practice.