HC Deb 21 May 1992 vol 208 cc223-4W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance he issues to local education authorities on the definition of a primary school deemed to be full for the purpose of refusing admissions.

Mr. Forth

All primary schools are required to comply, from September 1992, with the requirements of the more open enrolment provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988. Under these provisions each school has a standard number, up to which it must admit each year subject to demand. Primary school standard numbers were redefined by order in May 1991. The standard number is whichever of the following is the higher:

  1. (i) the number derived by applying a simple formula to calculate the school's capacity at 1 May 1991;
  2. (ii) the total number on roll on 1 May 1991 divided by the number of year groups;
  3. (iii) the number published by the LEA or the governors as the number intended to be admitted in September 1990; and
  4. (iv) if applicable, the admission number included in any published reorganisation proposals implemented before 1 May 1991.

The formula for assessing capacity used as part of the standard number determination is set out in DES circular 6/91. A copy of the circular can be found in the Library or supplied by the Department.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Education in what circumstances heads of local education authority primary schools may refuse to admit prospective pupils on the grounds of the pupils being outside the school's catchment area.

Mr. Forth

Primary and secondary schools must admit pupils up to their standard number for the year of entry. Where the number of pupils whose parents wish them to attend school exceeds the number of places available, places must be allocated in accordance with criteria published at the time parents express their preference. Prospective pupils must be admitted unless the schools has already admitted up to its standard number and those admitted have a better case for admission under the published criteria. Schools can have criteria for admissions which give priority to pupils living within a certain area, known as the school's catchment area. If the number of pupils admitted from the catchment area is less than the school's standard number, however, other pupils whose parents have requested places must be admitted in accordance with the school's admission criteria.