Member

I share the view of the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, that children achieve and thrive when they are at high-quality schools; that is what we are all trying to achieve here. I agree completely that decisions on PAN should maintain a very strong focus on the quality of available places, maintaining high standards and high levels of parental choice. I can commit to the noble Baroness to update the statutory School Admissions Code so that school quality and parental preference are central to any decision on PAN. As the code is legally binding, the adjudicator will be required to consider quality and parental preference as a central part of its decision-making for any PAN determination. Proposals for a clear framework for setting and making decisions about PANs will be subject to a full public consultation as part of an updated School Admissions Code. Furthermore, all changes to the code and associated regulations must be laid before Parliament, so this House will have a say over their adoption in due course.