Secondary school admissions in London

An up-to-date report on secondary schools’ admissions criteria and practices in London for admissions in 2005/06, with a particular focus on disadvantaged pupils is provided.

Abstract

In March 2005, the Greater London Authority provided a grant to the London School of Economics and Political Science to carry out a research project on secondary school admissions in London. The project had two objectives: • to provide an up-to-date report on secondary schools’ admissions criteria and practices in London for admissions in 2005/06, with a particular focus on disadvantaged pupils (and to compare these with the criteria used in 2001/02); and • to examine, from the perspective of local authorities, how effectively the Pan London Coordinated Admissions Scheme functioned during its first year, including difficulties encountered by local authorities. The research methods, key findings and implications for policy are summarised below.