§ 3. Claire Ward (Watford) (Lab)If he will make a statement on provision for review of the independent schools adjudicator's decisions on schools selection policy. [175989]
§ The Minister for School Standards (Mr. David Miliband)Schools adjudicators are independent of the Secretary of State and their decisions can be challenged only through the courts.
§ Claire WardMy hon. Friend will be aware that, in Hertfordshire during the past year, we have had several challenges on selection policy and the adjudicator's decisions have also been challenged, causing considerable delay and stress to parents, schools and pupils. Will my hon. Friend consider how he could assist the adjudicator to come to more robust decisions? To create some stability, will he consider the possibility that the adjudicator's decisions must hold for a certain amount of time, perhaps two or three years, before they can be challenged again?
§ Mr. MilibandMy hon. Friend raises an important point. In 32 cases, the adjudicators have reduced the 1698 amount of selection being carried out by schools. Any school that is thinking of reversing the adjudicator's decision—I think that my hon. Friend is referring to such a case in Hertfordshire—should think carefully about potential future challenges, the implications of previous adjudicator decisions and the uncertainty that such a reversal might cause to parents and pupils.