The Schools Adjudicator, Philip Hunter, has revealed that half of all school admissions authorities - mainly local councils and faith schools - are breaching admissions rules designed to make sure that all children have a fair chance to attend their chosen school. Mr Hunter emphasised that the problems were the result of “administrative confusion” and were not intentional, although in some cases there were serious problems such as schools charging a fee for admission.

We at Accord are concerned about any schools and local authorities that fail to meet the demands of the admissions code, but just as importantly we think that the code itself needs to be changed.

Speaking after details of the adjudicator’s interim report had been announced, Chair of Accord Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain said:

“It is deeply worrying that so many admissions authorities are breaking these important rules and little surprise that schools with control of their own admissions find it more difficult to keep track with the legislation. While it is reassuring to know that these breaches do not appear to be intentional, school admissions will not be truly fair until an end is put to religious discrimination in admissions.”

Also concerned was Liberal Democrat schools spokesman David Laws, who commented:

“It is shocking so many schools are breaching the admissions code. Cases where schools are asking questions about a pupil’s background are totally unacceptable. It is parents who should be choosing schools and not schools cherry-picking children.”