teachers children and academy admissions

[egdeh]

I know there are lots of v knowledgeable admissions people on here so am hoping someone can tell me what restrictions there are on academies setting their admissions criteria.

Am curious as a local secondary converted to academy status about 4 years ago. As of next year, after SEN, looked after, 10% G & T in speciality and siblings, children of teachers at the school will get priority over all others.

Probably not very large number of children each year but I was surprised this is allowed as thought parents situation wasn't allowed to be a factor in admissions.

If you know, can you explain? Ta very much.

The government changed the rules, so teachers kids can be prioritised. It was a judgement by the Ombudsman that disallowed it before, but the code has been re-written specifically to allow it. It is a good recruitment bonus for some schools, it also shows teacher confidence in te school, and may ease some practical problems for some teachers.

Actually it was banned by the previous admissions code rather than an LGO decision, but the child of a new member of staff filling a post for which there was a demonstrable skills shortage could get priority.

The new Admissions Code which applies from next year allows priority to be given to children of staff who have been employed at the school for two years or more as well as staff appointed to fill posts for which there is a demonstrable skills shortage.

If they propose to give priority to children where the staff member does not fall into one of the above categories they are in breach of the new Admissions Code paragraph 1.39.

Thank you, I knew someone on here would know.

What about support / non-teaching staff? And is this any school, eg LEAs could choose to use it as well as academy / free schools?

I can see the reasoning, but surely it will just help the good schools attract the best teachers. No one will take a job at a failing school because it means they can send their kids there would they?

I'm pretty certain that the new Code applies to all schools, therefore it is not a case of LEAs choosing to use it, it is replacing the current Admissions Code and will be compulsory.

The relevant part of the Admissions Code simply refers to staff. So yes, a school could choose to give priority to the children of non-teaching staff. Any school can give priority to the children of staff, not just academies. So yes, an LA could choose to give this priority in the admission criteria for all the community and VC schools in its area.

Just to be clear, use of the new Admissions Code is compulsory but giving priority to the children of staff is not.

Lovely, thank you. Not sure I agree with it, but do understand it now.