In answer to a DfE written question on July 8th, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, Lord Agnew of Oulton, said “a public consultation… will be launched in the autumn.”

It has been almost 4 years since Nick Gibb, the Minister for School Standards, promised to amend the 2014 Code, and the timescale given since has been “in due course“.

The question in Hansard (HL Deb, 8 July 2019, cW) does not directly address the issue of summer born children admissions, and the information does not appear to be listed in the government’s latest DfE news, but this is a welcome development.

The Summer Born Campaign will endeavour to confirm more details soon.

Hansard Question and Answer in full:

Lord Watson of Invergowrie Shadow Spokesperson (Education)
“To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to implement the recently-announced changes to the School Admissions Code introducing priority admission-status for inter-country adopted children.”

Lord Agnew of Oulton The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
“As stated in the recent Children in Need review, the government will be taking forward changes to the School Admissions Code, to ensure that all children, especially the most vulnerable, can access a school place as quickly as possible.

“As part of these changes, the government will also implement the changes previously announced by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for School Standards, to ensure that children who were previously in care outside of England receive highest priority for admission into a school in England.

“All changes will be subject to the full statutory process, including a public consultation, which will be launched in the autumn.”

• Written by author and journalist Pauline Hull
  (Citation: HL Deb, 8 July 2019, cW)