parental choice

Question 1

what is parental choice?

Answer 1

Policies that allow parents to choose which school their child attends, rather than being limited to their local catchment area.

Question 2

policies that enable parental choice

Answer 2

Open Enrolment
•Parents can apply to schools outside catchment areas
•Schools cannot refuse students unless oversubscribed

League Tables
•Rank schools by exam performance
•Parents use them to compare schools

Ofsted Reports
•Public inspection reports
•Influence parental decisions

Formula Funding
•Schools receive money per pupil
•Popular schools get more funding

Academies & Free Schools
•More independence
•Can set their own admissions criteria (within limits)

Question 3

what is parentocracy?

Answer 3

Parentocracy means an education system where a child’s success depends more on their parents’ wealth, knowledge, and choices than on the child’s own ability or effort.

In a parentocracy:
•Parents with money can move house near good schools
•Parents with cultural capital understand league tables, Ofsted reports, and admissions
•Confident parents can appeal decisions or push schools for support
•Schools compete to attract these parents

So, children from middle-class families tend to do better — not because they are more able, but because their parents can play the system.