SECONDARY schools which give greater priority to children who do not sit the 11-plus are set to lose their right to use the controversial admissions policy.

The Schools Adjudicator – an independent quango which has been examining the admissions arrangements of a number of schools – says it wants the practice, known as “conditionality,” to end.

In an intermim ruling announced at the weekend, adjudicator Philip Hunter says that he is minded to recommend compelling schools to end the policy.

The news comes just days after Secretary of State, Charles Clarke, imposed an admissions scheme on Kent County Council in which he set out the timetable the authority would have to follow for applications to secondary schools next year.

Mr Hunter said he was “minded to uphold” the objections KCC had made to the adjudicator about conditionality. In the past, Conservative leaders have denounced it for blackmailing parents into opting out of the 11-plus.

He also announced that he was upholding a number of other objections, including those related to the automatic allocation of places to children of teachers, which will be scrapped.

Schools will also, under his ruling, be unable to use their own application forms and give preferential treatment to the brothers and sisters of former children.

However, it is the recommendation over conditionality which has pleased KCC and caused dismay to those 15 schools – including the county’s six Catholic schools – which use the policy.

The adjudicator said he felt the practice was unacceptable and inconsistent with the principles of natural justice.

Cllr Leyland Ridings, KCC Cabinet member for Schools Organisation, said: “Although we do not have the final decision, we are pleased the adjudicator has cleared up a few outstanding issues and appears to be making judgements on the best interest of children and parents in Kent."

He stressed: "We are particularly pleased he has agreed to the council’s views about conditionality.” Arrangements would be simpler and more efficient, he added.

That was not the view of one of the schools.

Vice chairman of governors at Homewood School at Tenterden, near Ashford, Martin Frey said every effort would be made to continue with the policy.

He said: “The adjudicators have asked for evidence that could change their minds. We are confident that conditionality serves the interests of a majority of children better than any alternative system. We are confident that we can convince the adjudicator of this and will be making every effort to do this. KCC have consistently exaggerated the effect on parents and we have to restore a

balanced view.”

Charles Clarke set out last week a scheme giving parents the chance to express a preference for three schools on one form. The 11-plus test has been put back to January because of the wrangle.

However, the adjudicator’s recommendations are not final and he is likely to face pressure to reverse his opinion on conditionality from the heads of non-selective secondary schools.

A final decision will be known at the end of the month.