Education Minister opens consultation on plans to prioritise parental choice in school admissions
Date published:
Education Minister Paul Givan has launched a public consultation on proposals to make it easier for schools to admit extra pupils, giving parents more choice over which school their child attends.
The proposals would change the rules on Temporary Variations (TV), which are requests from schools to admit more pupils than they are normally allowed.
Launching the consultation, Paul Givan said:
"Earlier this year, I set out my plans to reform Northern Ireland's school admissions system in a Ministerial statement. Today marks the next step in delivering that reform.
"The changes I am proposing put parents and children first when deciding on school admissions. There are currently too many children who are refused admission to their preferred school, even when capacity exists and the school can safely accommodate additional pupils. I want to change that so that every child has a fair chance of getting into the school that best suits their needs."
Consultation responses will help inform decisions on the future operation of the Temporary Variation Policy ahead of the 2027 admissions process.
The Minister added:
"I am committed to creating an education system that listens to parents, reflects their preferences and responds to the needs of children and families.
"I also recognise the need for flexibility for children with Special Educational Needs as demand for SEN provision continues to grow. Any revised approach must support access for children with SEN.
"The consultation seeks views on how we can better respond to parental preference, but also on the safeguards that may be needed to ensure all children, including those with SEN, can access suitable school places.
"I encourage parents, schools and all interested stakeholders to consider the proposals and share their views."
The consultation opens on 16 September and will run for eight weeks. It can be accessed at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/review-temporary-variation-policy-consultation
Notes to editors:
- The Temporary Variation (TV) Policy allows the Department to consider requests from schools to admit pupils above their approved admissions or enrolment numbers in certain circumstances.
- Projections indicate that by the 2033-34 academic year, overall school enrolment is expected to fall by 12.7%, with primary enrolment projected to fall by 20.4% and post-primary enrolment by 9.5%.
- The consultation proposals include:
- presumption of approval for Temporary Variation requests in primary schools where capacity exists and schools can safely admit additional pupils.
- a similar presumption for non-selective post-primary schools.
- continued case-by-case consideration for academically selective post-primary schools.
- greater flexibility for children already holding a school place to transfer to another school in line with parental wishes.
- Further information is available in the Written Ministerial Statement, available at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/written-ministerial-statement-temporary-variation-policy-review
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