Do specialist 16-18 schools need to abide by the admissions code?

[grubadubdub]

I'm just looking at an entrance policy for a 16-18 school that interviews applicants and gives them scores based on things like how well they are likely to fit with the ethos of the school and how much they are likely to benefit from its education. There's no more detail about how the scores are determined, so it seems a bit subjective. Is it likely to be non-compliant with the admissions code or do specialist schools have some sort of exemption?

Is this a state school?

What do you mean by specialist? I know a few places (BOA & LIPA for example) have auditions.

Yes, a state school.

Sounds quilts unusual, can you give more information about the school. If it’s s specialist school then certain non-academic conditions might have more of a bearing

If it’s a “free” school then I have no idea how their policies work!

Free schools and academies have to follow the admissions code, so that's not the issue.

It's a 16-19 school that specialises in one subject area.

If it specialises in one area it would hold auditions, I’d imagine. Why don’t you say what the speciality is? Is it music or performing arts?

It could also be maths, I think a couple of specialist maths colleges have recently opened.

True. I imagine by definition a speciality school would be exempt from the admission code, in that only those with a proven grasp of / talent in the subject would be admitted? Could be wrong but it’s difficult to say on the sparse info in the op.

It really depends on what exactly this 16-18 school is. As a free school, university technical college or studio school they have to abide by the admission code.
There is nothing specific in the admission code about 16-18 schools but under sixth form places in schools it is very clear that the admission arrangements must follow the code and that any meetings held to discuss options and courses must not form part of the decision process on whether to offer a place.
If you want to send me by PM the actual name of the school I can look up exactly what status it has and be able to advice better hopefully.

admission, yes I'll PM you.

Thanks for your reply admission. Makes sense.

In summary (for the benefit of others), yes the school in question should comply with the admissions code, and doesn't at the moment by some margin, but it's hard to see how it could operate as a specialist school without a policy of this nature (which is more like a university entrance process than a school policy).

Admission also pointed out that a revised admissions code is pending, and it may contain some provision for specialist sixth forms (which didn't exists when the last code was written) - let's see.