Parents attack pupil admission process as 'complex and stressful'

PARENTS find the school admission process "complicated, time consuming and stressful", research has found.

They believe the system should be simplified, with a standard application form across the country, and a single closing date.

A government-commissioned report found parents still rely on word of mouth to find out how to apply for a school, which is often an unreliable way of gathering information.

Many are also turning to the internet and Ofsted reports to assess schools.

The report looked at the views of parents who had just been through the admission process, or were about to go through it, to get their child into primary or secondary schools. It found parents reject the idea that school admission authorities should be allowed to prioritise applications on the basis of whether parents have signed a school "ethos" statement.

Under a new admissions code published last month, schools will be able to ask families applying for a place to agree to "respect" their school's ethos.

The rule is most likely to affect faith schools in England, many of which are over-subscribed.

But the report, by Sherbert Research, found parents "strongly reject" the idea of the statement.

The report found almost all parents questioned said they would be prepared to sign a statement to get their child into a chosen school, devaluing the idea of the statement.