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Schools 'selecting by back door' Schools 'selecting by back door'
(about 1 hour later)
State schools that control their own admissions are covertly selecting pupils by ability, a think tank claims.State schools that control their own admissions are covertly selecting pupils by ability, a think tank claims.
The IPPR study claims such schools are significantly less likely to reflect the social make-up of their locality.The IPPR study claims such schools are significantly less likely to reflect the social make-up of their locality.
The report says that admissions for all schools, including the government's flagship Academies, should be decided independently through a local system.The report says that admissions for all schools, including the government's flagship Academies, should be decided independently through a local system.
Ministers said they had banned unfair admissions practices which penalised the poor and led to segregation.Ministers said they had banned unfair admissions practices which penalised the poor and led to segregation.
City academies, some faith schools and foundation schools can administer admissions, within rules designed to stop the increase of selection by academic ability.City academies, some faith schools and foundation schools can administer admissions, within rules designed to stop the increase of selection by academic ability.
We should be concerned by the fact that Academies are their own admissions authority Richard BrooksWe should be concerned by the fact that Academies are their own admissions authority Richard Brooks
But the report argued that there were too many loopholes with the new admissions code for it to be effective.But the report argued that there were too many loopholes with the new admissions code for it to be effective.
This was because where schools controlled their own admissions procedures there was no effective body to enforce it.This was because where schools controlled their own admissions procedures there was no effective body to enforce it.
And that it was in the interest of a school to select more able pupils as it was likely to improve its results.And that it was in the interest of a school to select more able pupils as it was likely to improve its results.
The IPPR study compared the progress of pupils in 3,000 secondary schools in England with the social make-up of their local area.The IPPR study compared the progress of pupils in 3,000 secondary schools in England with the social make-up of their local area.
It found that faith schools were the least reflective of their local area.It found that faith schools were the least reflective of their local area.
They were nearly 10 times more likely to have a higher proportion of able pupils than their local area might suggest.They were nearly 10 times more likely to have a higher proportion of able pupils than their local area might suggest.
Academic selectionAcademic selection
Meanwhile state foundation schools, many of which select a proportion of their pupils by ability and aptitude, were six times more likely to have a higher share of high-ability pupils than were in their local area.Meanwhile state foundation schools, many of which select a proportion of their pupils by ability and aptitude, were six times more likely to have a higher share of high-ability pupils than were in their local area.
Report author Richard Brooks said: "Both political parties now accept that academic selection is a bad thing. The argument now turns on covert selection.Report author Richard Brooks said: "Both political parties now accept that academic selection is a bad thing. The argument now turns on covert selection.
SCHOOLS ADMISSION CODE New rules ban schools from assessing parents' work, financial, marital or social statusRules gives schools the option to select by lottery if they want to take pupils who cannot afford to live nearbyCode came into force for admissions for September 2008 School admissions LEAs manage the admissions of community, voluntary-aided and some church schoolsFoundation, trust, specialist, voluntary-controlled schools (mainly church schools) and Academies control their own admissionsSome of these select a proportion of pupils by aptitude - i.e a talent for a particular subjectAll schools have to give priority to 'hard to place' pupils such as those in local authority careAfter that they will allocate places to pupils' siblings and by proximity to schoolNew rules such as banning interviews with parents aim to prevent schools selecting by social class or ability
"Where does it happen? Where schools are controlling their own admissions."Where does it happen? Where schools are controlling their own admissions.
"How do we stop this happening? By taking control of admission away from them.""How do we stop this happening? By taking control of admission away from them."
Although the research does not focus on Academies - which are privately run but publicly funded schools - Mr Brooks sounds the alarm about how he believes they are likely to operate.Although the research does not focus on Academies - which are privately run but publicly funded schools - Mr Brooks sounds the alarm about how he believes they are likely to operate.
"We should be concerned by the fact that Academies are their own admissions authority and the fact that we are going to see a lot more of them.""We should be concerned by the fact that Academies are their own admissions authority and the fact that we are going to see a lot more of them."
It's irrelevant whether a school operates its own admission criteria or not Jim KnightSchools minister
He added that unless the rules were changed so that admissions were decided independently, Academies were likely to take more than their fair share of bright pupils.He added that unless the rules were changed so that admissions were decided independently, Academies were likely to take more than their fair share of bright pupils.
He urged government not to set up any more without changing the way admissions are controlled.He urged government not to set up any more without changing the way admissions are controlled.
But schools minister Jim Knight said: "Academies do not increase social segregation - quite the reverse.But schools minister Jim Knight said: "Academies do not increase social segregation - quite the reverse.
It's irrelevant whether a school operates its own admission criteria or not Jim KnightSchools minister
"Academies are transforming the lives of disadvantaged children in our cities by admitting higher proportions of pupils eligible for free school meals, special educational needs and lower-performing young people than the proportions living in their local areas."Academies are transforming the lives of disadvantaged children in our cities by admitting higher proportions of pupils eligible for free school meals, special educational needs and lower-performing young people than the proportions living in their local areas.
"It's irrelevant whether a school operates its own admission criteria or not."It's irrelevant whether a school operates its own admission criteria or not.
"We have brought in a new, tough, mandatory School Admissions Code to outlaw unfair admissions practices which lead to social segregation and penalise children from low-income backgrounds."We have brought in a new, tough, mandatory School Admissions Code to outlaw unfair admissions practices which lead to social segregation and penalise children from low-income backgrounds.
"As the IPPR report itself acknowledges, every admissions authority now has to comply with this by law.""As the IPPR report itself acknowledges, every admissions authority now has to comply with this by law."
Tony Blair has said that one day every state school is likely to be a trust school or an Academy.Tony Blair has said that one day every state school is likely to be a trust school or an Academy.