School admissions policies aren’t working. With access to the best schools often dependent on postcode, some parents are able to effectively buy their way into high quality state education, by buying or renting housing in the right catchment areas. Other parents meanwhile, because of where they live, face a “choice” between mediocre and failing schools.

Meanwhile the national schools admission commissioner has recently warned that admissions are too often "unnecessarily complex", "unfair" or unclear, that too many schools are not complying with the current requirements, and that the complex arrangements of some schools do not serve children well.

This event will look at some of the possible alternatives, and the practical and political challenges involved in reforming school admissions. In particular, we will look at whether school admissions lotteries - which could see parents enabled to apply for a place at any school – would improve the situation.

Speakers:

• Nic Dakin MP, Shadow Minister for Schools
• Melissa Benn, Education campaigner and Chair of Comprehensive Future
• Jonathan Simons, Head of Education, Policy Exchange

Chairing the Event: Joel Mullan, former YF Education Network Chair