§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what are his reasons for setting the date of September 1992 for implementation of the open enrolment scheme for primary schools; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what was the reason for giving local education authorities seven weeks to respond to the circular on open enrolment in primary schools; on what date the circular was received by local education authorities; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what representations he has received from local authorities on the amount of time allowed for response to his circular on open enrolment in primary schools.
§ Mr. FallonMore open enrolment is one of the key provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988, designed to remove artificial limits to parental choice of school. In announcing its implementation in secondary schools from September 1990, the then Secretary of State expressed the hope that all primary schools would also forthwith admit pupils on demand up to the limit of their physical capacity, and many already do so.
September 1992 is the earliest practical date to bring these provisions into formal effect for all primary schools; the necessary procedures have been simplified and the consultation process carried out so as to meet that target. The draft circular and statutory order were dispatched to LEAs on 11 December.
Some 65 responses have now been received; the majority of respondents have taken the opportunity to comment on the length of the consultation period. The final versions of both documents will be in schools and LEAs later this term so that any necessary adjustments can be made before admission limits for 1991–92 are published this autumn.