Member

We know that, in some areas, schools set PANs that do not offer enough places to meet local needs. Equally, in areas of falling pupil rolls, some schools increase or retain PANs beyond what is needed. This can make it harder for the local authority and school leaders to plan effectively, hurting pupil outcomes. I know that there is concern among noble Lords that the impact of this would be, somehow or other, to prevent the quality and parental choice about which all of us are, I think, concerned. However, as my noble friend Lady Morris pointed out, if it is difficult or impossible for local authorities and school leaders to plan effectively, that may in itself have the effects of hurting pupil outcomes and damaging other good schools—and, in doing that, limiting parental choice. We all agree that we want to protect and promote all those things.