§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if grammar schools are permitted to object to appeal panels which consider issues other than those defined by the school's admission policy; and if appeal panels are able to consider levels of prior and projected academic attainment of pupils. [156001]
§ Ms Estelle Morris [holding answer 29 March 2001]Appeal panels should consider whatever evidence is presented to them by appellants in support of their case. They may also request from the admission authority whatever additional information they themselves consider necessary to aid them in reaching their decision. Although there are statutory matters that must be taken into account by the appeal panel, such as the school's admission criteria, they may consider that other factors are also relevant to an individual case; this is for them to decide. The decisions of appeal panels must be complied with by all parties to the appeal; they can be challenged only through the courts. Guidance on appeal panel procedures is given in our Code of Practice on School Admission Appeals, to which all involved in the admissions process must have regard.