Schools breaking law on admissions

Primary schools are breaking the law on admissions policies, the government says.

A “significant minority” are breaching new rules designed to make admissions fairer. Some required parents to sign an agreement to make regular financial contributions, and one London primary school admitted asking parents for a £50 “application fee”.

Some interviewed children, or asked parents about their marital status and financial circumstances. Schools were also not giving children in local authority care (“looked after” children) the priority they are obliged to by law.

All schools in a sample of three authorities – Manchester, Northamptonshire and the London borough of Barnet - were checked to see if they were complying with the admissions law.

Schools Minister Jim Knight said it was "shocking" this was still going on.