§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what analysis has been undertaken by her Department of the impact of the introduction of independent admission appeals panels on the number of appeals upheld. [1623]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Department has commissioned research into the operation of independent appeal panels and a report on its findings is due in January 2002. In 1999–2000 (the latest year for which figures are available), 89,200 admission appeals were lodged by parents, although only 62,700 appeals reached an appeal panel. Of these, 21,500 appeals were decided in the parents favour, representing 34 per cent. of all appeals heard by a panel.
41WThe introduction of independent appeal panels has not shown a marked impact on the success rate of appeals; at secondary school level, the percentage of appeals being decided in parents' favour has remained stable at 32 per cent. for the last three years. At primary level, where class size legislation has placed restrictions on appeal panels, there has been a drop in the percentage of successful appeals over the last three years, from 47 per cent. in 1997–98 to 39 per cent. in 1999–2000.