6.14
However, in order to permit schools to retain their traditional links it is proposed before carrying out the allocation within the nets to allow them a percentage of discretionary places if they so wish. However, too many discretionary places would tend to nullify the basic objectives of the scheme. Furthermore, the higher the percentage of such places, the more cumbersome and costly the scheme will become and moreover, to be successful, and to avoid any suspicion of corrupt practices, any scheme of discretionary places must itself be subject to some measure of control.
6.15
On balance, the most practicable proportion of discretionary places would appear to be about 15% although if implemented, this proportion should be reviewed regularly.
6.16
It would appear essential that applications for discretionary places should be accepted centrally, checked and details sent to each school principal who will then decide which applicants to accept. It is proposed that for each child, parents should be allowed to apply for a discretionary place in only one school. However, the choice of school need not be confined to a particular district or school net. At the same time, the school will be sent guidelines indicating principles to be followed in filling discretionary places. Reasons which might be considered appropriate for being awarded a discretionary place would include: religious belief, family members who have previously attended a school, or other affiliation with the school.
6.17
After the schools have selected pupils to fill their discretionary places the main allocation within the nets will take place as follows:-
6.18
(1) parents will be asked to list all the primary schools in the net
in order of preference;
(2) applicants applying as their first choice to a school already
attended by a brother or sister will be allocated first;
(3) applicants, with a parent, brother or sister who previously
attended the school, will also receive priority;
(4) the allocation will be based entirely on the parents' choices
and not the child's ability. The system will be designed to ensure that the greatest possible number of pupils are allocated to a school high on their parents' preference list.
It should be noted that in order to maintain school traditions, it is intended that close family connections with a school should merit priority of allocation both in terms of being eligible for a discretionary place in any school and also in the main allocation procedure.
Control of movement and repetition
6.19
After all the allocations have been finalised, it is proposed to issue record cards to all pupils. These cards would be kept and up-dated by the schools. When pupils changed schools they would take their cards with them and so help to ensure educational continuity.
6.20
The record cards would also be used in conjunction with the allocation
56
!