STOCKPORT schools are to give top priority for places to current
pupils' siblings.
The council has approved new admissions rules, which take effect
from September next year and apply to primary and secondary
schools.
Over-subscribed schools will now give places in descending order of
priority to:
Siblings of pupils;
Those with exceptional medical/social reasons;
Those in priority areas (without the guarantee of a place);
Other applicants, decided by distance.
The arrangements were approved by councillors after a six-month
consultation with education chiefs, schools and parents and
recommendations by Stockport Admissions Forum.
Only a third of respondents were in favour of sibling priority,
with most - 59 per cent - preferring to maintain priority areas at
the top of the list for primary schools.
The highest score for secondary school options in the consultation
was adding associated primary schools, so pupils could retain local
links.
The Admissions Forum report said "merely adopting the consultation
results would not meet our duties and requirements" and adopting
their recommendations "places families at the heart of the
admissions system", as required by the government's new code of
practice.
Cllr John Pantall, executive member for children's services, said:
"I am hopeful the changes mean we can retain the current 95 to 97
per cent rate of pupils attending their first choice."