Report

Admissions not impossible

This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust urges schools to review their admissions systems to address inequalities in access.

This report sets out a clear case for why fairer school admissions must be central to any serious effort to improve inclusion.

Drawing on new analysis, national data and our direct work with over 100 schools, it shows that access to the highest-performing schools is still shaped by socioeconomic disadvantage and SEND. This is not inevitable. While factors like housing and parental choice play a role, admissions policies and practices are a significant and often overlooked driver of who gets in. Put simply, inclusion does not start in the classroom, it starts with who is admitted through the school gates.

The report moves beyond diagnosis to focus on solutions. It brings together the practical approaches schools and trusts are already using to improve access, alongside a clear Fair School Admissions Framework that sets out what action is needed across the system. From government setting the right incentives and accountability measures, to schools reviewing oversubscription criteria, distance measures and outreach, the message is consistent: meaningful change happens when these elements work together. This is a collective effort, and progress is strongest where leaders see admissions not as a compliance exercise, but as a core part of their moral purpose.