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Original poster

prep school kids excluded from grammar schools

26 replies

kris123 · 23/12/2010 10:19

Lets heat the discussion a little bit.

One LA introduced the regulations that prep school kids move to the back of the line for grammar schools places (read: they are excluded).

link to the article

What is your view on this approach? Do you think that it can be a new trend?

Personally though DS and DDs in state primary, i think its a wrong move, but I will explain my reasons later (not to affect your comments).

What are your views?

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 23/12/2010 12:04

Despite what it says in this article, the admission criteria for the two schools mentioned do not put children from independent schools at the back of the queue. For both schools the priority order is:

  • Looked after children
  • Childer living in the Borough of Poole
  • Other children

Test scores are used as the tie breaker. If test scores are equal, distance from the school is used as the tie breaker.

If the article is accurate I am not surprised they have been forced to back down. The Admissions Code simply says that they can't include independent schools as named feeder schools. It is a big jump from that to say that they will put children from independent schools at the back of the queue. Such a policy could be unfair discrimination which is against the Admissions Code.

If they are actually operating such a policy without stating it in their admission criteria that is a clear breach of the Admissions Code, allowing pupils from independent schools to appeal successfully if they are refused entry.