Ban on church schools interviewing pupils

Church schools are to be banned from interviewing prospective pupils because of fears that they are using the process to select bright, middle-class children.

The Department for Education and Employment, which is issuing new guidance to end the practice, said school selection would be made "fairer" for pupils and parents.

The ban, backed by Church of England and Roman Catholic leaders, will affect pupils applying to start school from September 2005 onwards. Church schools have been allowed to interview potential pupils to assess their religious commitment but a minority of schools are believed to take advantage of the opportunity.

Critics of the interviews fear they allow church schools to screen out children from poor families whose results and behaviour might damage the school's reputation.

The Church of England welcomed the new code of conduct, which, if approved by Parliament, will come into force in September 2004, for introduction the following year.

A spokesman said the churches had requested the change and that it had "general support". He said it would affect six CoE schools in England, but refused to name them.

Church schools will still be allowed to assess applicants' religious commitment using questions on application forms or by asking for references from the local priest or vicar.

The Department for Education and Skills said the timetable for change had been set to allow schools to adjust.