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Parents' fraud over school places Parents' fraud over school places
(about 8 hours later)
The scale of fraudulent or misleading applications for school places in Wales has been revealed.The scale of fraudulent or misleading applications for school places in Wales has been revealed.
More than a third of local councils have uncovered some level of fraudulent pupil applications over recent years.More than a third of local councils have uncovered some level of fraudulent pupil applications over recent years.
Parents have been found using the address of a relative living in the desired catchment area, or a second or rented home where they did not live.Parents have been found using the address of a relative living in the desired catchment area, or a second or rented home where they did not live.
The information was uncovered by BBC Wales' Eye on Wales programme following a Freedom of Information request.The information was uncovered by BBC Wales' Eye on Wales programme following a Freedom of Information request.
In Caerphilly, there were 30 such applications each year over a three-year period.In Caerphilly, there were 30 such applications each year over a three-year period.
In most cases, councils had refused the applications or they were withdrawn by parents. I think this shows how important [this is], and what lengths some people will go to, to try and get themselves into the school of their choice Prof David Egan, UWICIn most cases, councils had refused the applications or they were withdrawn by parents. I think this shows how important [this is], and what lengths some people will go to, to try and get themselves into the school of their choice Prof David Egan, UWIC
Parents are entitled to apply for any school they wish for their child, but some, particularly in urban areas, or Welsh-medium schools, are over-subscribed.Parents are entitled to apply for any school they wish for their child, but some, particularly in urban areas, or Welsh-medium schools, are over-subscribed.
Education authorities set their own admissions criteria for deciding who gets spare places over and above the children living in the catchment area.Education authorities set their own admissions criteria for deciding who gets spare places over and above the children living in the catchment area.
In some heavily subscribed areas, even children living within the catchment may not get a place.In some heavily subscribed areas, even children living within the catchment may not get a place.
Professor David Egan, director of the Centre for Applied Education Research at UWIC, in Cardiff, told the programme: "It's generally the case that young people… choose the local community school they want to attend, or if they want to attend the Welsh medium or faith schools that are available in the area, they undertake that. Professor David Egan, director of the Centre for Applied Education Research at UWIC, in Cardiff, told the programme people usually chose the local community school they wanted their children to attend, or picked Welsh medium or faith schools which were available in the area if they preferred that type of education.
"But then you move to Cardiff, obviously, or to Swansea - certainly into the two major cities of Wales - inevitably, where there are a range of schools, where there are highly-performing schools, and schools that are in challenging circumstances, where performance is not as strong, then these issues will kick in." However he added: "But then you move to Cardiff, obviously, or to Swansea - certainly into the two major cities of Wales - inevitably, where there are a range of schools, where there are highly-performing schools, and schools that are in challenging circumstances, where performance is not as strong, then these issues will kick in."
'Expectation' FALSE BIDS FOR SCHOOL PLACES Caerphilly 30 per year over three yearsCardiff nine in one yearMerthyr Tydfil three per yearSwansea four in three years Source: Eye on Wales
Peter Fox from the Welsh Local Government Association said: "Clearly, the WLGA could never condone the act of anybody doing anything fraudulent to gain a place in schools.Peter Fox from the Welsh Local Government Association said: "Clearly, the WLGA could never condone the act of anybody doing anything fraudulent to gain a place in schools.
"But I think this shows how important [this is], and what lengths some people will go to, to try and get themselves into the school of their choice."But I think this shows how important [this is], and what lengths some people will go to, to try and get themselves into the school of their choice.
"Often, they may have moved into the area, they may have bought a house in an area almost with an expectation that they felt they could get to their desired school, and clearly that doesn't always happen because obviously, when a school is full, those criteria kick in again which can actually sometimes discriminate against children who live right next-door to the school.""Often, they may have moved into the area, they may have bought a house in an area almost with an expectation that they felt they could get to their desired school, and clearly that doesn't always happen because obviously, when a school is full, those criteria kick in again which can actually sometimes discriminate against children who live right next-door to the school."
Cardiff High School is one of Wales' oversubscribed schools, with approximately 270 applications per year for 210 new pupil intake places.Cardiff High School is one of Wales' oversubscribed schools, with approximately 270 applications per year for 210 new pupil intake places.
Head teacher Mike Griffiths said half of the 60 who did not receive a place would appeal against the decision.Head teacher Mike Griffiths said half of the 60 who did not receive a place would appeal against the decision.
He said applications were gone through "in minute detail, because obviously they need total convincing… you have to prove it's your main residence."He said applications were gone through "in minute detail, because obviously they need total convincing… you have to prove it's your main residence."
Eye on Wales is broadcast on BBC Radio Wales on Monday at 1830 GMT.Eye on Wales is broadcast on BBC Radio Wales on Monday at 1830 GMT.