A teachers' union has slammed the government’s revision draft admissions code, which is attempting to set out new regulations for allocating places at all maintained schools.
The Department for Education insists the new framework will make the schools’ admissions system “simpler, fairer and more transparent”. Admissions into state schools has long been an issue since the emergence of so-called 'postcode lottery' system.
But Chris Keates, the general secretary for the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) said: "The DfE's claim is disingenuous drivel. The 'removal of burdens' and ‘simplification’ of the code are in truth the removal of necessary and valuable guidance on good practice and the undermining of all the safeguards in the current code. This will allow poor and discriminatory practice to return and flourish."
She added: "The whole consultation on admissions is nothing more than a demonstration of contempt of parliament."
In 2008, the Labour government sought to address concerns the current regulatory framework was not rigorous enough and had let unacceptable admissions practices go unnoticed. The body responsible at the time- the department for children schools and families- revised the 2007 code of practice