• DfE to consult on post-qualification admissions as Williamson signals 'radical change'

    Education secretary Gavin Williamson has signalled plans to “radically change” the university admissions system which is “letting down” the brightest pupils from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. Williamson said that he will review a post-qualification university admissions (PQA) system, whereby students in England would receive university offers once they have obtained their final grades. The move comes…

    17.42 Nov. 13th, 2020 | News

  • Universities back post-qualification admissions but shoot down move to January start

    A major review into university admissions is calling for places to be offered after students have been awarded grades – but it shot down proposals to shift start dates back to January. Universities UK (UUK), the university umbrella body, suggests switching to a post-qualifications admission model from 2023, subject to full consultation, as part of…

    0.01 Nov. 13th, 2020 | News

  • Coronavirus: Admission appeal panels could be held by phone or video call

    The government is considering allowing admission appeals to be heard by telephone or video call, after a senior official said appeal panels should not meet during the coronavirus outbreak. In a letter to councils, national schools commissioner Dominic Herrington said that “given the current restrictions we do not consider it is sensible to go ahead with…

    11.39 Apr. 6th, 2020 | News

  • Variation requests soar as primaries downsize, and 6 other OSA annual report findings

    The official in charge of regulating schools’ admissions arrangements has published her annual report. Shan Scott, the chief schools adjudicator for England, said her report gave an overall impression of an admissions system “that as a whole works effectively in the normal admissions rounds, and in those rounds, the needs of vulnerable children, and those…

    11.35 Feb. 24th, 2020 | News

  • Grammar school ordered to tweak admissions policy following second home row

    A heavily oversubscribed grammar school has been ordered to amend its admission arrangements after a parent complained that it discriminated against wealthy individuals with second homes. The objection was lodged after Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, in Buckinghamshire, rejected an application from a child who lived three miles from the school – well within its catchment…

    17.32 Aug. 31st, 2018 | News