- Why do school admissions cause such a fuss?

From a personal viewpoint, "because it's my child". From a policy professional point of view, because the whole process must be easy to navigate, open, fair, considered, transparent and attached to an appeals system.

- So why do we need another consultation?

The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 introduced the current framework for school admissions, including a statutory code of practice. But every year local authorities and MPs have to respond to complaints from parents and commentators about perceived injustices.

In 2006, the 1998 Act was amended to tighten up admissions criteria and strengthen the code. However, a Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) review of admission arrangements in three local authorities in March uncovered some unsound practices, including requests for 'voluntary' payments, intrusive questions about parents' personal circumstances, and failure to follow the law on admission of pupils with special educational needs or those in care. It has now promised further changes.

- Hence the new consultation?

That's right. The major issues are the complexity of the system and lack of standardisation from authority to authority and school to school. The consultation suggests parents should be allowed to apply to at least three primary schools. Suggested changes to the local process would oblige admissions authorities to consult parents and community groups - an interesting omission at present.

- But how do parents find out about the system?

Local authorities will have to publish a composite prospectus of all maintained schools, academies and city technology colleges. This will include details of the application process, travel and special educational needs provision. School governors will continue to publish a more in-depth school prospectus.

- Lisa Payne, policy unit, National Children's Bureau FACT BOX

- In 2006/07, 19,450 out of 56,610 admission appeals heard by a panel decided in for the parents (DCSF)

- 58 out of 106 schools surveyed failed to prioritise the admission of children in care, and 13 sought discretion over the admission of children with special educational needs (letter from the Secretary of State to the Schools Adjudicator, 2 April 2008)

- The School Admissions Consultation 2008 is available at www.cypnow.co.uk/doc

- Responses are due by 2 October 2008.