Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reasons children subject to Special Guardianship Orders do not benefit from the same rights of preferential access to schools currently enjoyed by children in care and adopted children; and if he will make a statement.
Looked-after children are amongst the most vulnerable in our society and, wherever possible, they should be admitted to the school which is most able to meet their needs.
That is why the School Admissions Code requires the admissions authorities of all schools, including academies, to give highest priority in their admissions criteria to looked-after children and previously looked-after children. This includes children who are subject to child arrangements orders and special guardianship orders.