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End this school places inequality with impartial admissions procedures End this school places inequality with impartial admissions procedures
(7 months later)
This weekend, thousands of families will face the end of an anxious waiting game – children find out whether they have got into the secondary school of their choice. Many parents will have spent considerable effort and expense to get their child into a good school – by moving house, paying for extra tuition, or attending church in order to qualify for a faith school.This weekend, thousands of families will face the end of an anxious waiting game – children find out whether they have got into the secondary school of their choice. Many parents will have spent considerable effort and expense to get their child into a good school – by moving house, paying for extra tuition, or attending church in order to qualify for a faith school.
The ability to choose a school is important for parents, who naturally want to do the best for their child. But with top schools increasing house prices by over £20,000 in their catchment area, it is the wealthy who are able to benefit most from this choice. They are the ones with the means to play the admissions game, and ensure their kids get into the best schools.The ability to choose a school is important for parents, who naturally want to do the best for their child. But with top schools increasing house prices by over £20,000 in their catchment area, it is the wealthy who are able to benefit most from this choice. They are the ones with the means to play the admissions game, and ensure their kids get into the best schools.
As a result Britain has some of the most socially segregated schools in the developed world. This leads to divided communities, as children grow up without the means to interact with people from different walks of life. It can also hamper efforts to improve schools, since disadvantaged schools struggle to recruit and retain the best teachers and lose out on the educational benefit of having a mixed intake.As a result Britain has some of the most socially segregated schools in the developed world. This leads to divided communities, as children grow up without the means to interact with people from different walks of life. It can also hamper efforts to improve schools, since disadvantaged schools struggle to recruit and retain the best teachers and lose out on the educational benefit of having a mixed intake.
This problem is compounded by the fact that schools have control of their own admissions process. While they have to abide by a national "code", they are able to set the criteria and administer it themselves. But there is a strong incentive for schools to engage in subtle forms of selection, since attracting wealthier and brighter pupils is a quick way to rise up the league tables. This was highlighted recently by an investigation led by Christine Gilbert, the former head of Ofsted, which found some schools holding social events for prospective parents, or issuing lengthy application forms, in order to "cherrypick" particular families.This problem is compounded by the fact that schools have control of their own admissions process. While they have to abide by a national "code", they are able to set the criteria and administer it themselves. But there is a strong incentive for schools to engage in subtle forms of selection, since attracting wealthier and brighter pupils is a quick way to rise up the league tables. This was highlighted recently by an investigation led by Christine Gilbert, the former head of Ofsted, which found some schools holding social events for prospective parents, or issuing lengthy application forms, in order to "cherrypick" particular families.
Policymakers had hoped that by increasing parental choice, and giving schools control over their own admissions, they would help disadvantaged children to move to better schools outside their immediate neighbourhood. But forthcoming research by IPPR shows that schools have actually become more segregated as a result of these policies.Policymakers had hoped that by increasing parental choice, and giving schools control over their own admissions, they would help disadvantaged children to move to better schools outside their immediate neighbourhood. But forthcoming research by IPPR shows that schools have actually become more segregated as a result of these policies.
While the right for parents to choose a school for their child is an important principle, it must be made to work in a way that is transparent and fair for all families, not just the wealthy. Schools have lots of autonomy – including over how they set budgets, reward staff, and teach children – which gives headteachers the tools they need to do their job. But they should not be given control over admissions, since they are not neutral in this process and stand to gain from subtle forms of selection. It would be better for admissions to be administered by an impartial body such as a local school commissioner. This would prevent accusations of unfair play, save headteachers from endless rounds of appeals, and free schools up to focus on the core business of teaching and learning.While the right for parents to choose a school for their child is an important principle, it must be made to work in a way that is transparent and fair for all families, not just the wealthy. Schools have lots of autonomy – including over how they set budgets, reward staff, and teach children – which gives headteachers the tools they need to do their job. But they should not be given control over admissions, since they are not neutral in this process and stand to gain from subtle forms of selection. It would be better for admissions to be administered by an impartial body such as a local school commissioner. This would prevent accusations of unfair play, save headteachers from endless rounds of appeals, and free schools up to focus on the core business of teaching and learning.
A far bigger challenge is to break the link between house prices and the ability to choose a good school. The government has already pledged to expand the best schools in order to accommodate the demand for places, but many schools will remain oversubscribed and their admissions should not be restricted to a small number of expensive houses that are closest to the school gates.A far bigger challenge is to break the link between house prices and the ability to choose a good school. The government has already pledged to expand the best schools in order to accommodate the demand for places, but many schools will remain oversubscribed and their admissions should not be restricted to a small number of expensive houses that are closest to the school gates.
One solution to this problem is for schools to expand their catchment areas and admit an equal number of pupils from across the whole ability range. This practice is already used by successful schools such as Mossbourne Academy in Hackney.One solution to this problem is for schools to expand their catchment areas and admit an equal number of pupils from across the whole ability range. This practice is already used by successful schools such as Mossbourne Academy in Hackney.
The government is right to give schools more responsibility to run their own affairs and create a distinct identity and ethos. It is also right that parents should be able to choose a school for their child – something that can have a huge impact on their lives. But in return for these freedoms, we need a fair admissions system that serves the needs of every child. The freedoms given to schools should not include the ability to select by stealth.The government is right to give schools more responsibility to run their own affairs and create a distinct identity and ethos. It is also right that parents should be able to choose a school for their child – something that can have a huge impact on their lives. But in return for these freedoms, we need a fair admissions system that serves the needs of every child. The freedoms given to schools should not include the ability to select by stealth.
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