‘Scrap policy for admissons’

Cllr Simmons, who represents Lewsey ward where Barnfield West is situated, claimed the proposals would give preference to children from outside Luton.

Barnfield West and Barnfield South in Farley are extending their catchment areas to attract more pupils.

Cllr Simmons said: “Assurances were given that their admission policy would remain the same as other schools across town. These promises have now been broken.

“Under the proposals students from Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard will be given higher preference over catchment area children.”

She added the entrance exam – which would stream pupils into four ability bands – was ‘selection by the back door.’

“They have been using vocational qualifications to climb the school league tables.

“Now the vocational equivalents are to be downgraded, I think the academies hope to maintain their results by selecting pupils.

“It is wrong and goes against what education in the town should be about.”

Barnfield spokesman Stephen Hall said every child within the catchment area of the Academies, selecting Barnfield as their first choice, would be guaranteed a place.

He added: “We are totally committed to meeting the needs of these families and this new system – which includes an increase in the number of places available - will ensure this objective is met.

“Our new admissions policy is designed to be fairer, more open and more personalised to every student . . . so we can build a learning pathway that will enable them to reach their full potential.”

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