School breaks admissions code in order to “make a point” about comprehensive education

A Suffolk academy has been ordered to change its admissions arrangements after they gave priority to pupils from two private schools by naming them as “feeder primaries”.

Benjamin Britten Academy of Music and Mathematics contravened the School Admissions Code when it listed Langley Preparatory School, Norwich, and The Old School, Henstead, as feeder schools, a report from the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA) said.

Langley Prep costs more than £12,000 a year for day pupils and is an hour’s drive from Benjamin Britten Academy in Lowestoft, which is part of the Hartismere Family of Schools Multi-Academy Trust.

When contacted by Education Uncovered, the headteacher of Benjamin Britten, Jim McAtear, said they had named private schools as feeders to “make a point” about the quality of education a comprehensive could offer.

The school was launched in 2016 to replace its predecessor school, Benjamin Britten High School, which was in special measures with falling rolls.