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Archived press release
Date Published: 23/10/08
Coopers and Coborn School, Upminster, offered places to eight pupils on the grounds of an aptitude for sport or music but had made no provision for doing so in its admission arrangements.
Coopers and Coborn School, Upminster, offered places to eight pupils on the grounds of an aptitude for sport or music but had made no provision for doing so in its admission arrangements, finds Local Government Ombudsman, Tony Redmond. In his report issued today (23 October 2008) he said he could see absolutely no justification for the School’s belief that it was able to offer places in this way, and pointed out that “The [statutory Admissions] Code is absolutely clear that social or medical need criterion should not be used to admit children on grounds of aptitude. The School unlawfully failed to comply with this requirement.” He added “I find this surprising given that similar concerns were raised in my two previous reports about the School”. Criterion 3 of the School’s admissions criteria allowed for the admission of children who had an exceptional need relevant to the School. The School used this to make offers of places on the grounds of aptitude. But the statutory school admissions code explicitly prevents this and makes it absolutely clear that social or medical need criterion should not be used to admit children on the grounds of aptitude. The Ombudsman said “I find it hard to comprehend how the committee could have believed it was legitimate to admit children on this basis.” The Ombudsman concluded that the three familes who complained to him would not have been offered a place at the School even if this fault had not occurred. But he accepted that they were likely to feel a sense of outrage at the School’s failure and had taken unnecessary time in trouble in pursuing their complaints. He recommends the School pay £100 to each of the three families. The School has already changed its admission arrangements for the coming year. However, the Ombudsman also recommended it ensure training is provided for members of the Admissions Committee before the new admissions round gets underway, and that it is made clear to parents that aptitude and ability cannot be considered under the exceptional need criterion.
Report ref 08 003 807 + 2 others
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