Selection test bid at Telford comes school under fire

Madeley Academy has a new admissions policy that will see 11-year-olds from outside its catchment area able to apply for places.

The school, which has links to Thomas Telford School, has introduced the test and banding procedure for year seven entry in September 2018. This will use a similar admissions process to that used by Thomas Telford and Walsall Academy, which is part of the same network of comprehensive schools.

Telford & Wrekin Council has objected to the move , which it claims will put some children in the existing Madeley catchment area at risk of not getting a place at the site, in Castlefields Way.

It lodged a complaint to the Office of the School's Adjudicator, which has since been dismissed.

The council's main objection is over the academy trust's decision to bring in a system that will result in Madeley's 180 year seven places allocated across five ability bands. It brands it "unfair" and that some pupils will be unable to access a school that is within three miles of their home and within its catchment area.

The adjudicator's report states: "The objector considers that the new banding based arrangements are unfair and in breach of the requirement for arrangements to be fair - in that the changes could disadvantage some potential applicants."

Today, in a joint statement, the council's education department and the academy insisted that they will work together over the issue.

The statement says: “Telford & Wrekin Council notes the adjudicator’s decision and is currently reviewing what the potential implications are.

“The council and Madeley Academy will continue to work closely together to ensure the interests of all children remain the top priority.”

The academy carried out a consultation exercise with the community prior to rolling out the changes.

It tells parents: "Any student regardless of where they live can apply for a place at Madeley Academy.

"We continue to be vastly oversubscribed and a very popular choice of school for both parents and students in Telford. As a child centred academy, we focus on children being happy, confident and independent learners. Right from year seven, students are encouraged to consider their future and they have access to a dedicated careers department.

"Our students are regularly rewarded for their hard work, smart appearance and excellent manners.We are different and believe 2017 will be another very special year for all involved,"

The secondary school was granted academy trust status in 2007 and was previously funded by Telford & Wrekin Council.