§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a further statement detailing existing parental rights with regard to out of catchment area exceptional admissions to primary and secondary schools.
§ Mr. ButcherUnder section 6 of the Education Act 1980, parents have the right to express a preference as to the school at which they want their child to be educated, and that preference has to be met if the child is eligible and there is a place available at the school of the parents' choice. These rights exist irrespective of whether the parents live in a defined area, although pupils living near the school are sometimes given priority if there are more applicants than available places.