Crow concerns

Governors of oversubscribed schools that control their own admissions procedure are being forced to get down to the fine detail after Sir Philip Hunter's annual report as the schools adjudicator.

In the wake of news that thousands of schools in England breached the tightened admissions code - many of them through unintentional technical mistakes - governors are grappling with maps, compasses, bits of string and dilemmas such as whether to measure the distance between a residence and the school along the middle of the road, or along the pavement, ie the safe route to school. If measurements are made as the crow flies and the school is on a hill, presumably the crow reaches the top of a large block of flats before apartments at the bottom? Or does the crow always take the lift - or maybe the stairs?

Crazy? Well no, for as Hunter says: "If you get your admissions arrangements in place and make them lawyer-proof, then it will help you in the long run."

His remarks come as many more parents - some of them backed by legal advisers - go to appeal to try to secure a place at the school of their choice.

Governors of voluntary aided, foundation or academy schools are responsible for forming an independent panel of volunteers to hear admission appeals. In community and voluntary controlled schools, the local authority sets up the panel. Some schools send their governors for training and then swap panels with another school. The critical issue is independence: neither the clerk nor any of the panel must have any connection with the school involved in the appeal.

Having set up a panel, members need training in the complicated and controversial procedure - and that training must match the knowledge of lawyers who might be representing parents.

Local authorities and clusters of schools are increasingly turning to the expertise of ISCG - Information for School and College Governors - a non-profit making organisation, established in 1991, "to provide practical advice, up-to-date information and relevant services on school governance".

Felicity Taylor at the ISCG says that the knowledge of voluntary panel members varies tremendously and, however prescriptive the guidelines, every appeal is unique and, of course, of huge importance to the child's future.

"ISCG has learned from long experience that when working with volunteers you must maintain a high level of interest and enjoyment throughout the session. Otherwise volunteers will find something better to do," she says.

Trainers use clear checklists to back up guided discussions and realistic role-play - including tears from the instructor playing the parent. Other tricky situations include dealing with parents who are too nervous to put their case, hearing conflicting evidence from the parent and the presenting officer, and reassuring parents about the independence of the hearing, despite it often being held on local authority premises.

Gaining admissions appeal experience can help all governors to understand the frustration and desperation some parents go through. Of course, Ed Balls's vision of parents having the freedom to choose a school for their child is a myth - and for every oversubscribed school coping with waiting lists and appeals, there is a neighbouring one that is desperate to get more students.

• ISCG can be contacted at [e-mail]

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