Allocation of school places by lottery

The growing trend to allocate secondary school places by lottery has lead to an increase in the number of children applying to and attending, private schools.

It would seem that parents are not prepared to leave their children’s education to chance, and would rather pay privately for their children to be educated, than take a chance on the lottery system.

The UK government is determined that the middle classes should not colonise the best schools; which they feel is being done at present, by affluent parents buying houses in desirable catchments areas.

Brighton and Hove have been the first to trial the scheme with Hertfordshire following suit. As a consequence, independent schools are planning to expand to accommodate the anticipated demand for extra places.

It is also interesting to note that home schooling has also gained popularity in recent years. Research by the Guardian newspaper shows that the number of children educated at home has tripled in the last eight years. This is a trend that is likely to continue with the introduction of the new lottery placement scheme. Many parents will be unable to fund private education, and feel that they have no alternative but to home school instead.

The main reasons for home schooling given by parents were:

• Anti-social behaviour by other pupils
• Poor levels of conduct
• Disruptive behaviour in class
• Poor teaching
• Poor discipline
• School bullying
• Others also cited religious or cultural reasons.