School Lottery System Causing Increase in Private Applications

The UK has moved to a lottery system for where children are going to go to school in the public system. They were trying to avoid wealthy parents from buying houses near top schools, just so their children can attend those schools.

The backlash to that system, however, has begun. Private schools are reporting an increase in the number of applications they have received. People with the money are now moving to the private schools rather than have to wait to find out where their children will attend public school.

The increase in applications has not been small. Two places that have already implemented the lottery system are Hove and Brighton. Private schools in those areas are reporting an increase of forty four percent in their applications.

The problem does not seem to lie with the first school choices of parents, but with the secondary schools once the child does not get their first choice school.

"Parents are very happy with the many excellent primary schools in the city, but they are often troubled by the secondary school options. This has been exacerbated by the introduction of the lottery," said Headmaster of Brighton College, Richard Cairns.

The lottery system of admissions is available to all, but local authorities have the power to use the system or not.

March 6, 2008
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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