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Church backs Minister on schools Admissions Code

11 March 2008

Responding to a statement from Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls, this morning, the Rt Rev Stephen Venner, Bishop of Dover and acting Chair of the Board of Education, said:

"The Church of England welcomes the Minister's intention to tighten up on rules to ensure schools meet the requirements of the Admissions Code 2007. We fully supported the Code when it was introduced and produced guidance in January 2007 (approved by DCSF) for all dioceses to use as a basis for their advice to individual Voluntary Aided and Foundation schools.

"Our guidance is crystal clear that, when allocating places on the basis of faith, admissions criteria should simply focus on attendance at worship - either on Sunday or another day of the week - in an uncomplicated way that is easy for parents to understand.

"We fully support the challenge issued by the Secretary of State where schools have not heeded the Admissions Code. There is no excuse for not complying with the law in this area.

"We note, however, the small sample of local education authorities reviewed and urge caution in reaching generalised conclusions.

"The Church will support the DSCF in more widespread research, and nationally we will continue to support dioceses in advising schools on full adherence to the Code."