The Admissions Appeals Code has been published.  It has not significantly altered from the previous code.

However, the Schools Admissions Code came into force in February 2008, and new rules on admissions in England will mean that all children, regardless of background, have a fair and equal chance of taking up a place at their preferred school.  The strengthened Code puts an end to covert selection in schools by outlawing a range of unfair admission practices in all maintained schools, including selective and comprehensive schools, Academies, faith schools and state boarding schools.

The new Code lays down clear boundaries to ensure that the admission arrangements and other school policies (e.g. uniform) do not disadvantage children from particular social or racial groups, or those with a disability or special educational needs. Furthermore the Code makes the admission system more straightforward, transparent and easier to understand for parents. It gives clear guidance on parents’ new powers to object to a school’s oversubscription criteria if they believe it does not comply with the new Code.  The new code is mandatory and will affect admissions for the 2008 academic year. It can be downloaded from the DCSF website.

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