HC Deb 26 July 1977 vol 936 cc282-3
3. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what examination she has made of the methods, impact and effects of computerised selection procedures carried out by local authorities for limited places in different kinds of comprehensive schools in their areas.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The Department does not monitor the admission arrangements of individual education authorities. Ministers have from time to time made clear their view, however, that they regard computerised selection as an inherently unsatisfactory method of determining which children should be admitted to individual schools.

Mr. Dykes

I thank the Minister for that reply, but I must press her a little further. Is she aware that there is a lot of public uncertainty and parental anxiety about this matter? Would it not be a good idea to publish an objective study on the use of this method in different areas and to advise local authorities accordingly?

Miss Jackson

I am not sure that we need a study before we can advise local authorities. We have made it very clear over a period of time that we are unhappy about the allocation of school places on a random basis. This is not compatible with the equitable allocation of these places. We have given advice to those affected. The whole question of school allocation and choice was the subject of a draft circular earlier this year, and it is a matter that we are considering at present.

Mr. Bryan Davies

Does my hon. Friend agree that, whatever system or device is used for the allocation of children to various schools, there will be large numbers of parents who will be disappointed because they do not get their first choice? Does she not agree that emphasis should be placed on improving standards of all schools and making sure that all children have access to good educational opportunities rather than emphasising the mc spurious notion that parental choice may be met totally?

Miss Jackson

I entirely agree. It is impossible—or, at least, no local authority has ever succeeded in this—to give parents their first choice in every case. Parental choice is a useful and good criterion to be taken into account, but I agree that we should realise that parents cannot be satisfied in every case. The right approach is to make sure that every school is sufficiently good for parents not to feel so strongly about not getting their first choice. In addition, however, in any reasonable system giving validity to parental choice, we should see that in cases where parents are dissatisfied there is a proper system to enable them to appeal.