PLANS to change a school's admissions policy have been put on ice after it was revealed the new proposals would have discriminated against non-religious children.
As reported by the Mirror earlier this month, Surrey County Council was consulting on proposals to change the admission criteria at Reigate Priory Junior School, so it prioritised children attending Holmesdale Community Infant School and Reigate Parish Church School.
But some parents, along with secular groups, said the proposed changes were unfair and would penalise those not wanting to send their children to a church school.
Reigate Parish Church School's admission policy says it has a "distinctive Christian ethos" which is "at the heart of the school". Furthermore, it states that "parents applying for an open place do so knowing that the school provides an education based on Christian principles". Reigate Priory, however, is a non-faith school.
Admitting it had failed to take into account the link between faith and non-faith schools, the council has now deferred its decision on the policy until next year.
"We're relieved for now," said parent Rachael Munroe. "But Surrey County Council is proposing to consult again on changes next year, and who knows what they will be? Surrey needs to ensure that any proposals are fair to all local children and all local children should be ranked equally."
In a letter to the National Secular Society, which wrote to the council to express its concerns about the proposals, Claire Potier, the council's principal manager for admissions and transport, said she did not consider the proposal unlawful or discriminatory and said it was intended to deal with a specific local issue.
But she added: "During the consultation. however, there were other alternative solutions put forward and it has now been recommended to cabinet that a decision on the proposal be deferred until next year to allow the alternative solution to be reviewed before moving forward."
County council spokeswoman Joy Ridley added no decision had been made.
The issue was discussed at Surrey County Council's Cabinet meeting on Tuesday when it was noted that the authority wanted to fully explore a number of concerns that had been raised and consider alternative proposals.
They did not say what the "alternative proposals" were, however.
