News
School Appeals invited for interview on the Today Programme
Following the revelation that a number of schools are still not complying with the new Code on School Admissions, the Schools' Minister, Jim Knight, has called for an end to covert admission practices used by some schools to get round the Code. Such practices include using interviews to solicit information about parents and children which is then used to decide which applications will be successful; all such practices are unlawful under the new Code.
Mr Knight has written to all admission authorities to ensure that admission arrangements next year all admission arrangements are fully compliant.
This news generated a lot of media interest when linked with the new Code on School Admisison Appeals coming into effect on 17 January 2008.
The Today programme on BBC Radio 4 ran a series of interviews about these issues and John Chard, Principal of School Appeals, was interviewed about the impact of these new changes. John welcomed the changes but felt it was naive if the government thought that covert practices would be eradicated because if admission authorities were minded to use unlawful means to select pupils, then the introduction of stronger powers was unlikely to change the attitude of the more committed schools.
However, some important changes have been introduced all of which are covered in John's book which is to be published shortly entitled "Your school, Your Choice". More details will be available shortly.
