HL Deb 08 July 1998 vol 591 c137WA
Baroness Blatch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Blackstone, on 24 June (WA21–22) concerning local education authorities' powers, where a foundation school has in place admission arrangements which are not agreeable to the local education authority, who agrees the admission arrangements; and whether the foundation school has an absolute veto over any changes to its admission arrangements. [HL2486]

Baroness Blackstone

Under the provisions in the School Standards and Framework Bill, the governing body of a foundation school will be responsible for determining the school's admission arrangements after having consulted locally. If the LEA has an objection to a foundation school's admission arrangements, it may refer the matter to the adjudicator. Where the objection concerns admissions criteria relating to a person's religion or religious denomination, the adjudicator will refer the objection to the Secretary of State. The decision of the adjudicator, or the Secretary of State, will be binding.