§ 33. Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her proposals to change policy on school admissions. [905]
§ Mr. TimmsWe are considering whether changes to the school admissions framework should be proposed, but no decisions have been made yet.
§ Andrew BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what advice she gives to parents of children who have applied to go to a particular school, failed to gain a place, failed at an appeal and are due to attend a school they did not choose. [895]
§ Mr. TimmsRecent research into secondary school admissions shows that 96 per cent. of parents are offered a place at a school for which they have expressed a preference and that 85 per cent. are offered a place at their favourite school. But we cannot guarantee that every parent will secure a place for their child in their favourite school. Where they do not, they have a right of appeal. During 1999–2000, the latest year for which figures are available, 34 per cent. of all appeals were decided in parents' favour. Parents can ask for their child to stay on a waiting list for their favourite school, although the school is not obliged to keep one.