Are specialist schools selective schools?

Designation as a specialist school is not a statutory process and does not result in any change in admissions criteria. However, Section 102 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 allows the admissions authority for a school with a specialism in certain prescribed subjects (see below) to give priority to up to 10% of pupils on the basis of aptitude in those subjects. This does not apply only to schools in the Specialist Schools Programme; any admission authority may decide to give priority in this way. Only about 6% of specialist schools select any pupils on the basis of aptitude for the specialism. Any proposal for a change to admissions policy should follow the statutory process and requirements. In response to the Educational Select Committee, the Government has decided to withdraw the option for schools to introduce selection by aptitude in design and technology and/or information technology. Regulations will be amended to prohibit new aptitude selection in design and ...  more