Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

School Admissions Code: Summer-born Children

Monday 23 November 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Stephen Hammond asked about progress on amending the school admissions code for summer-born and premature children.
  • The Department published updated guidance in September 2020 to ensure decisions are in the best interests of summer-born children.
  • The Minister agreed to meet Stephen Hammond to discuss the necessary legislation for summer-born children.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Hammond Con
Education
Context

N/A

Question

What progress his Department has made on further amending the school admissions code to ensure that summer-born and premature children can be admitted to reception at the age of five at the request of parents.

Answer from Nick Gibb

The Department published updated guidance in September 2020 on the admission of summer-born children. The guidance will help ensure that decisions are taken in the best interests of the child concerned. It remains our intention to legislate to change the school admissions code when an opportunity is available.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not provide a specific timeline or commitment for legislative action despite being asked about progress on amending the school admissions code.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Stephen Hammond Con
Children & Families
Context

The MP has already discussed the issue of legislating for summer-born children in a previous question.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. I agree with him that legislating would ensure that all summer-born children get the opportunity and the life outcome they deserve. Will he agree to meet me and perhaps a member of the Treasury so that we can ensure that that legislation comes through in this Parliament?

Answer from Nick Gibb

May I first pay tribute to my hon. Friend for highlighting the important issue of summer-born children? Of course, I would be delighted to meet him to discuss the legislation that we need to put through to ensure that his and others' very strong opinions about fairness for summer-born children are implemented.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not commit to a specific meeting or legislative timeline, instead expressing willingness to meet and discussing opinions on fairness.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)