School requesting Attendance/Assessment data before admitting student

[Joshubuh1]

Is this OK?

 

Got a request like this where the school was clearly suggesting the data requested would help them decide whether to enrol a student.

 

I'm not typically involved in the admissions process but this made me a little screwy so I looked it up and found this:

 

Oversubscription criteria

1.9 It is for admission authorities to formulate their admission arrangements, but they must not:

g) take account of reports from previous schools about children’s past behaviour, attendance, attitude or achievement, or that of any other children in the family;​​

- ​​DfE School Admissions Code ​December 2014 (Page 11)

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/389388/School_Admissions_Code_2014_-_19_Dec.pdf

 

 

 

Am I being over sensitive? Even if this was against the code, presumably the rule dictates how this information is used rather than when it's acceptable to provide it?

 

Have I walked in on an admissions dark art and should step away carefully before falling in to a devious world of intrigue and espionage?

[LosOjos]

For this reason, and potential DPA pitfalls, I've always maintained that I will not share student data until that student is confirmed as attending the new school. I'm a Data Manager, so don't have a lot to do with the admissions process, but when I have been asked for data I've always maintained this stance.

[SouthCoastSaint]

We do ask for a general overview of the student, but this is to decide which house leader and tutor it would be prudent to place them with. Our admissions go through County anyway so even if our Head were to try to block someone (which she never would), it wouldn't be possible.

[bobsmith]

What I've done is provide the student/parent with copies of any reports they have and made it up to them if they want to pass them onto the school if they ask.