A consultation on the draft School Admissions Code and School Admission Appeals Code was launched on Friday 27 May 2011 and will run until Friday 19 August 2011
The current Admissions and Appeals Codes are 130 pages long and contain more than 660 mandatory requirements. As a challenge for even expert practitioners, no parent could possibly use such complex documents as a straightforward guide to securing fair admissions.
The admissions system has increasingly worked against genuine choice for parents and acted against social mobility, particularly for those who do not have the resources to navigate the system. The draft codes are around a third of their original size, with all duplicated and unnecessary material removed to leave in place the essential safeguards that provide for equity of treatment. Subject to Parliament, the codes are intended to be in force by January 2012. Details of the consultation can be found on the DfE website.
Action required
Local authorities are invited to read the draft codes and submit their views by Friday 19 August 2011.
Contact details
Adrian Thompson
Email: Adrian.Thompson@education.gsi.gov.u
