Schools chief inspector David Bell has dismissed fears that plans to give primary schools more freedoms could undermine the government’s aim for integrated services supporting all children, writes Amy Taylor.

David Bell

Speaking exclusively to Community Care, Ofsted’s chief inspector of schools said there was a need not to “over exaggerate” concerns about giving schools the right to gain foundation status, under which school governors set admissions arrangements.

An Education Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech last week would give primary schools the same rights as secondary schools to apply for foundation status.

Last week, leading figures in children’s services warned that the policy could lead to schools denying access to disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

But Bell said that the admissions procedures operating in most foundation schools were the same as other schools and took account of factors such as how near children lived to the school and whether any of their siblings were pupils.

“If there are going to be more schools moving to foundation status you have to ensure that the admissions arrangements are coordinated but I would be slightly concerned about this becoming some sort of argument against proper school-based autonomy and decision making.

“Autonomy is not isolation, schools are part of a local communities and have to work together with other schools and other services to do the best for the children in their area,” he said.

See news analysis in this week’s issue (26 May 2005 pages 16-17).