A lottery system is being used for school places in Brighton this year
A lottery system is being used for school places in Brighton this year
FAMILY ROOM By Sean Coughlan BBC News More than half a million families in England are about to receive news on school places.
FAMILY ROOM By Sean Coughlan BBC News More than half a million families in England are about to receive news on school places.
Take a deep breath and open the letter. Inside is the name of the secondary school where your child will be starting in September.
Take a deep breath and open the letter. Inside is the name of the secondary school where your child will be starting in September.
This is an Oscar envelope-opening ceremony in dressing gowns, carried out in kitchens across the country.
This is an Oscar envelope-opening ceremony in dressing gowns, carried out in kitchens across the country.
It's called an "offer", but the brown envelope being sent from the local authority doesn't contain any alternative options. It's one place in one school.
It's called an "offer", but the brown envelope being sent from the local authority doesn't contain any alternative options. It's one place in one school.
There will be waves of relief for some who get the place they wanted. For others there will be bitter disappointment.
There will be waves of relief for some who get the place they wanted. For others there will be bitter disappointment.
Last year, about 100,000 families failed to get their first choice. Of those about 40,000 began the stressful - and usually unsuccessful - process of appealing against the decision.
Last year, about 100,000 families failed to get their first choice. Of those about 40,000 began the stressful - and usually unsuccessful - process of appealing against the decision.
House prices
House prices
Even if it's good news, this "admissions day" or "national offers day" isn't necessarily something that parents will feel like celebrating, at least in public. Apart from sensitivity to others' disappointment, there's a curious sense of powerlessness over the whole process.
Even if it's good news, this "admissions day" or "national offers day" isn't necessarily something that parents will feel like celebrating, at least in public. Apart from sensitivity to others' disappointment, there's a curious sense of powerlessness over the whole process.
Parents are allowed a school "preference" not a "choice"
Parents are allowed a school "preference" not a "choice"
Unlike exam results, the allocation of places isn't really something that's achieved by merit. Ending up in the catchment area of a sought-after school is usually either through good fortune or having a fortune.
Unlike exam results, the allocation of places isn't really something that's achieved by merit. Ending up in the catchment area of a sought-after school is usually either through good fortune or having a fortune.
Under the tighter-than-ever, fairer-than-fair admissions system, the basic requirement often still remains being able to buy a house opposite the school gates.
Under the tighter-than-ever, fairer-than-fair admissions system, the basic requirement often still remains being able to buy a house opposite the school gates.
The introduction of new admissions devices, such as the lottery for school places in Brighton, adds even further to the sense of randomness, deliberately designed to obstruct the exercise of choice.
The introduction of new admissions devices, such as the lottery for school places in Brighton, adds even further to the sense of randomness, deliberately designed to obstruct the exercise of choice.
It would be hard to think of any other public service where stopping people getting what they want is seen as a desirable outcome. But parents in the school admissions process have got used to the feeling that the customer is always wrong.
It would be hard to think of any other public service where stopping people getting what they want is seen as a desirable outcome. But parents in the school admissions process have got used to the feeling that the customer is always wrong.
Preferences
Preferences
The government produces league tables illustrating the stark differences between schools. But if you make an effort to get into the high-achieving schools, you're a pushy parent.
The government produces league tables illustrating the stark differences between schools. But if you make an effort to get into the high-achieving schools, you're a pushy parent.
How much school-place fairness can we afford?
How much school-place fairness can we afford?
And if you try and fail to get a place in these over-subscribed fortresses, then there's a lingering sense of letting down your children.
And if you try and fail to get a place in these over-subscribed fortresses, then there's a lingering sense of letting down your children.
Throughout the long months of the admissions process parents are treated like over-demanding children who shouldn't be indulged.
Throughout the long months of the admissions process parents are treated like over-demanding children who shouldn't be indulged.
As soon as the application cycle begins they're slapped down with the news that it's not school "choice", it's only a "preference".
As soon as the application cycle begins they're slapped down with the news that it's not school "choice", it's only a "preference".
And even within this limited "preference" parents get blamed. Last week, the chief schools adjudicator warned they were fuelling social segregation through the school admissions system.
And even within this limited "preference" parents get blamed. Last week, the chief schools adjudicator warned they were fuelling social segregation through the school admissions system.
Can you imagine any public figure solemnly warning that allowing people to choose where they bought a house was unacceptable because it was fuelling social division?
Can you imagine any public figure solemnly warning that allowing people to choose where they bought a house was unacceptable because it was fuelling social division?
But when it comes to schools, the providers - the politicians, the local authorities, the regulators and the teachers' organisations - dominate how the debate is framed.
But when it comes to schools, the providers - the politicians, the local authorities, the regulators and the teachers' organisations - dominate how the debate is framed.
Scams
Scams
There are stories every year of admissions scams from over-ambitious parents - false addresses, temporary rented flats or a sudden interest in religion.
There are stories every year of admissions scams from over-ambitious parents - false addresses, temporary rented flats or a sudden interest in religion.
About 100,000 families didn't get their first-choice school last year
About 100,000 families didn't get their first-choice school last year
But do we ever ask why people go to such lengths to get into one school or to avoid another? Are we looking through the wrong end of the telescope?
But do we ever ask why people go to such lengths to get into one school or to avoid another? Are we looking through the wrong end of the telescope?
Rather like the Mrs Merton question - what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels? - it's not that difficult to see the issue. England's school system, like house prices and incomes, is one of extremes.
Rather like the Mrs Merton question - what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels? - it's not that difficult to see the issue. England's school system, like house prices and incomes, is one of extremes.
That envelope can be a passport to a success story or to a disaster zone. It's no wonder that parents, knowing the scale of difference in results, will want to choose the best and to avoid the worst for their children.
That envelope can be a passport to a success story or to a disaster zone. It's no wonder that parents, knowing the scale of difference in results, will want to choose the best and to avoid the worst for their children.
If we were talking about hospital services rather than education, would we call a parent "pushy" if they wanted their child to be treated in a hospital with the best facilities? And what would we make of a policy for a fair allocation of botched operations?
If we were talking about hospital services rather than education, would we call a parent "pushy" if they wanted their child to be treated in a hospital with the best facilities? And what would we make of a policy for a fair allocation of botched operations?
It's going to be a big moment when that envelope is opened.
It's going to be a big moment when that envelope is opened.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Like loads of other parents, I'm waiting to hear what my daughter is being 'offered' - but it puzzled me when she indicated her 'preferences' that there was no way to say WHY she would like to attend a particular school - convenient bus route, specialism in an area that interests her, friends going there, whatever. Fingers crossed...Megan, Cheshire
Like loads of other parents, I'm waiting to hear what my daughter is being 'offered' - but it puzzled me when she indicated her 'preferences' that there was no way to say WHY she would like to attend a particular school - convenient bus route, specialism in an area that interests her, friends going there, whatever. Fingers crossed...Megan, Cheshire
Parents should realise that the biggest difference in their child's results comes from parental attitude to learning, not whether the school tops the league tables. Yes of course, kids will struggle in the worst of the inner-city schools but the majority of schools will allow a child with supportive parents to do well.Geoff, Leicestershire
