§ Mr. Nick GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether his proposals for federations of schools involve a combined admissions system; and if he will make a statement. [98904]
§ Mr. MilibandNo, federations of schools will not have a combined admissions system. Federation will not affect parents' admission rights or choices. It will help schools work together and support each other and will be based on local demand not national imposition. The Education Act 2002 specifically excludes admissions from the cases in which federated schools may be treated as a single school. Even where federations involve schools having a single governing body, the schools will still be separate and parents will express preferences for the individual schools.