HL Deb 08 September 2003 vol 652 cc59-60WA
Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the proposed pan-handle system for co-ordinated admission to secondary schools, whether they are confident that by the proposed start date boroughs will be effective and efficient in implementing the system and that the software will be perfected; and whether, if there are any doubts on either score, they will pilot the scheme with a small group of boroughs in its first year. [HL4182]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

The PAN London School Admissions Project, funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as a national project, and headed by the London Borough of Wandsworth, is now well under way. Although my department is represented on the project board, this is a local authority-led project which will enable parents to make school applications on-line, and will facilitate the secure and speedy exchange of information on admission applications between local education authorities.

The first stage of the project, in which 10 London boroughs will implement and pilot the system, is due for completion by September this year. The remaining boroughs will "go-live" by September 2004 in time to deal with applications for entry to schools in September 2005.

Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the co-ordinated admissions scheme for primary schools, what problems in the current system require solution; what benefits the new system will bring; what proportion of children will be significantly better off; what implementation of the new system will cost and whether it will represent value for money. [HL4183]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

Co-ordination will make the admissions process smoother. Parents will be able to apply for all the schools they wish their child to attend in the LEA's area on one application form instead of having to make several applications to different admission authorities. They will receive only one offer from their LEA and all will receive the offer on the same day. Currently offers may be notified at different times and some parents may have a number of offers while others have none. This creates anxiety for parents and children and additional work for LEAs who must then find places for children with no offer.

The regulatory requirements for co-ordinated admissions schemes were drawn up in consultation with a focus group of interested parties, including representatives of LEAs, the Churches and foundation and voluntary-aided schools. The requirements for primary schemes are minimal and allow LEAs to draw up timetables which will suit the needs of their area.

My department does not keep figures for the numbers of children involved, but our research has shown that parents find the process easier when admissions are co-ordinated. We expect co-ordinated admissions to be cost neutral in the longer term.