Explanatory note

Section 99(3) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 provides that the admission arrangements for a maintained school may not make provision for selecting pupils by reference to aptitude unless the provision is for a permitted form of selection. Section 102 of the Act permits selection of pupils by reference to their aptitude for one or more particular subjects (to be prescribed by regulations) in which the school specialises. Such selection is permitted only if the proportion of pupils selected by reference to such an aptitude does not exceed a limit of 10% of those admitted to the school in the age group concerned.

These Regulations prescribe the subjects to which section 102 is to apply. They are: modern foreign languages, the performing arts, the visual arts, physical education or sport, design and technology, and information technology.