This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/7921886.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
School placement loopholes remain School placement loopholes remain
(3 days later)
Government guidance that parents should know the results of school entry tests before finalising applications for places is still being flouted.Government guidance that parents should know the results of school entry tests before finalising applications for places is still being flouted.
Research shows more schools in England are using selection tests, and parents already find the system too complex.Research shows more schools in England are using selection tests, and parents already find the system too complex.
The government says its admissions code - which admissions authorities must abide by - is now fairer than ever.The government says its admissions code - which admissions authorities must abide by - is now fairer than ever.
The loophole is that it contains clauses to which admissions authorities "should" adhere - not "must".The loophole is that it contains clauses to which admissions authorities "should" adhere - not "must".
On selection tests, the admissions code says: "Grammar schools and other schools, or their admission authorities, which are permitted to use selection by ability or aptitude, should ensure that parents are informed of the outcome of entry tests before they make their applications for other schools."On selection tests, the admissions code says: "Grammar schools and other schools, or their admission authorities, which are permitted to use selection by ability or aptitude, should ensure that parents are informed of the outcome of entry tests before they make their applications for other schools."
AppealsAppeals
Numerous individual schools operate their own tests for "aptitude" in their specialist subject but parents only get an idea of how their children done when the places are allocated.Numerous individual schools operate their own tests for "aptitude" in their specialist subject but parents only get an idea of how their children done when the places are allocated.
Kent and Buckinghamshire are two of the biggest areas of academic selection involving 11-plus tests for entry to many of the schools in their areas.Kent and Buckinghamshire are two of the biggest areas of academic selection involving 11-plus tests for entry to many of the schools in their areas.
Buckinghamshire County Council's deadline for applications for secondary school places is 24 October.Buckinghamshire County Council's deadline for applications for secondary school places is 24 October.
But it does not issue its 11-plus results until 31 October, a week later.But it does not issue its 11-plus results until 31 October, a week later.
A spokeswoman said the most important reason was that there was an appeals process, which can take weeks.A spokeswoman said the most important reason was that there was an appeals process, which can take weeks.
The only way to accommodate this within the applications round would be to have children sit the tests much earlier, in the summer of their Year 5, "which is not an appropriate testing time", she said.The only way to accommodate this within the applications round would be to have children sit the tests much earlier, in the summer of their Year 5, "which is not an appropriate testing time", she said.
She stressed that on this issue the government's admissions code only said what authorities "should" do, not what they "must" do.She stressed that on this issue the government's admissions code only said what authorities "should" do, not what they "must" do.
Three testsThree tests
Kent used to operate in a similar fashion.Kent used to operate in a similar fashion.
But it told parents applying for places in 2009: "we have introduced a big change this year, made possible by the school admissions code which became law in 2007".But it told parents applying for places in 2009: "we have introduced a big change this year, made possible by the school admissions code which became law in 2007".
"Instead of having to decide before the assessment tests take place which grammar schools to name in which order, parents who registered their child for testing by the deadline will know about their results before they have to complete the SCAF [application form]."Instead of having to decide before the assessment tests take place which grammar schools to name in which order, parents who registered their child for testing by the deadline will know about their results before they have to complete the SCAF [application form].
"This is something Kent parents have been requesting for some time, but the council was prevented from introducing it before the code was published.""This is something Kent parents have been requesting for some time, but the council was prevented from introducing it before the code was published."
Kent has made the change possible by having its selection tests in September - and not having parental appeals against the results.Kent has made the change possible by having its selection tests in September - and not having parental appeals against the results.
Instead, about 20-21% of children pass the tests in maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.Instead, about 20-21% of children pass the tests in maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Primary school head teachers submit the names of children they had expected to pass the tests - but who did not - to review panels who allocate grammar school places to another 4-5%, or something over 500 children.Primary school head teachers submit the names of children they had expected to pass the tests - but who did not - to review panels who allocate grammar school places to another 4-5%, or something over 500 children.
'Genuinely difficult''Genuinely difficult'
Kent's head of admissions and transport, Scott Bagshaw, said families did not know whether their child had been deemed suitable for grammar school as a result of such a review.Kent's head of admissions and transport, Scott Bagshaw, said families did not know whether their child had been deemed suitable for grammar school as a result of such a review.
He said explaining the change to parents had been a complex process - but the upshot had been that about 10% more had got their first choice school this year.He said explaining the change to parents had been a complex process - but the upshot had been that about 10% more had got their first choice school this year.
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said it had been decided that there had to be some flexibility in some areas as it was "genuinely difficult to get all the tests administered and marked in time".A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said it had been decided that there had to be some flexibility in some areas as it was "genuinely difficult to get all the tests administered and marked in time".
He added: "Obviously it is good practice to get the results to parents before they apply but we recognise there are local reasons in some areas which prevent this."He added: "Obviously it is good practice to get the results to parents before they apply but we recognise there are local reasons in some areas which prevent this."
UniformsUniforms
There are other loopholes remaining in the code like that relied on by Buckinghamshire.There are other loopholes remaining in the code like that relied on by Buckinghamshire.
In broad terms, the code was tightened a few years ago so that schools had to "act in accordance" with it, not merely "have regard" to it.In broad terms, the code was tightened a few years ago so that schools had to "act in accordance" with it, not merely "have regard" to it.
This seemed to close a notorious loophole which let governing bodies do what they liked.This seemed to close a notorious loophole which let governing bodies do what they liked.
However, the code itself contains different sorts of statements: things which admissions authorities "must/must not" do, and those they "should/should not" do.However, the code itself contains different sorts of statements: things which admissions authorities "must/must not" do, and those they "should/should not" do.
The issue of test results is in the latter category.The issue of test results is in the latter category.
So are uniforms. Ministers have repeatedly said they do not want schools obliging parents to buy special school uniforms from expensive sole suppliers.So are uniforms. Ministers have repeatedly said they do not want schools obliging parents to buy special school uniforms from expensive sole suppliers.
The code says: "Governing bodies should help limit the expense of uniforms so that parents on low incomes do not feel that the prospective cost of the uniform means that they cannot apply for their preferred school."The code says: "Governing bodies should help limit the expense of uniforms so that parents on low incomes do not feel that the prospective cost of the uniform means that they cannot apply for their preferred school."
But charities say that still does not happen everywhere.But charities say that still does not happen everywhere.
The DCSF spokesman said the admissions code placed a statutory duty on all governing bodies to ensure their policies and practices did not disadvantage any children.The DCSF spokesman said the admissions code placed a statutory duty on all governing bodies to ensure their policies and practices did not disadvantage any children.