School lesson

THERE will be consternation that nearly one in six children have failed to gain a place at their first-choice secondary school. As a result, about 90,000 11-year-olds will not be going to the schools they want when they head back to the classroom in September.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Mar 2010, 22:14 BST
Updated 11th Mar 2010, 22:14 BST

One in 20 did not get an offer from even their top three schools,

although this represents a slight improvement on last year.

It is the third year the figures have been compiled after the introduction of the controversial lottery-style scheme for secondary school entry, although children have, for decades, annually failed to get their first choice of school.

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Unsurprisingly, Schools Minister Vernon Coaker concentrated yesterday on the 83 per cent of parents who were given their first choice, claiming the current admissions code underpinned "the best admissions system we have ever had" after it outlawed unfair practices which penalised low-income families.

There is, of course, only one way of ensuring more youngsters get their first choice – by bringing the less popular, poorer-performing schools up to the standards of the best, thereby reducing the pressure on existing heavily-oversubscribed schools, and giving parents and children more choice.

What is clear is that there are far too many failing schools. But these, and even those which excel at present, will find it harder than ever in coming years to maintain, or improve standards, given the parlous state of public finances.

Improvements will instead have to be achieved by the combined talents of skilled teaching staff and pupils, with vital support from parents. The biggest tests now lie ahead.