Parents need access to good quality information so they can make informed choices and to make schools accountable. From September 2012 regulations will no longer require schools to publish a prospectus or have a curriculum policy, thus avoiding duplication of effort, and unnecessary cost. Instead, schools will be required to publish key information online.
In order to provide parents with the information they need at the right time, maintained schools, academies and Free Schools will be required to publish the following details online:
- Pupil Premium allocation, use and impact on attainment
- curriculum provision, content and approach, by academic year and by subject
- admission arrangements
- the school’s policy in relation to behaviour, charging, and SEN and disability provision
- links to Ofsted reports and to the Department’s achievement and attainment performance data; and details of the school’s latest Key Stage 2 and 4 attainment and progress measures.
Most schools already make much of this information available online and will only need to ensure that all the areas are covered and details are up to date. Schools that are not, will need to make arrangements to go online.
Academies and Free Schools are required to provide much of this information through their funding agreements or the Independent Schools Regulations. The new model funding agreement will require academies and Free Schools to publish the same information as maintained schools.
Local authorities will continue to have a duty to ensure that parents receive the support they need to work through the admissions process. These changes to the School Information Regulations will not change the duty for local authorities to produce a composite prospectus every year, or for schools to supply required information in a way that is easy to understand.
For more information go to: http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/toolsandinitiatives/cuttingburdens/b0075738/reducing-bureaucracy/requirements/changestoschoolinformationregulations
