§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will commission an independent evaluation into the(a) effectiveness and (b) equity of admissions procedures to Church schools with voluntary-aided status. [52406]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 27 July 1998]: A new framework for admissions will be established under provisions in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, underpinned by a new statutory Code of Practice. For the first time all admission authorities—including the governing bodies of voluntary-aided schools—will be required annually to consult locally before determining their admission arrangements. Objections to those arrangements may be referred to an adjudicator, and, where they relate to religious or denominational criteria, to the Secretary of State. The decision of the Secretary of State or the adjudicator will be binding. We shall be evaluating the impact of the new admission framework once it is operating.