London’s eAdmissions service for schools has been
launched as a shared service among the capital’s 33 local
authorities, and is cutting admissions running costs.
Administration and stationery costs have been reduced by the
online system, with an early feasibility study estimating that the
co-ordinated online service will reduce overall costs by more than
50% when compared to each borough procuring and implementing their
own local system.
The London system is the UK’s first eAdmissions system to be
turned into a shared service and now allows widespread online
school admissions.
Early results show that the London Borough of Hackney has seen
81% of its secondary school applications being made online, above
the national average.
Others that achieved significantly higher online applications
than the national average were the boroughs of Sutton, Merton, the
City of London Corporation and Richmond. Overall, on average, the
London boroughs are achieving 14% take-up.
The system has been implemented by the Pan London Coordinated
School Admissions Programme and London Connects, led by Wandsworth
Borough Council.
The system has been developed and hosted by System Associates, a
privately-owned web technology partner.
Primary and secondary school applications can be made online by
parents, at a time convenient to them, via London’s central portal
-
www.yourlondon.gov.uk.
Peter Williams, deputy CEO of London Connects, said,
"Significant economies of scale can be achieved by sharing online
services -
www.yourlondon.gov.uk
has provided a platform upon which the 33 London boroughs can adopt
a unified approach to all pan-London services, and save money in
the process."
London eAdmissions sits under the eAdmissions National Project,
which has overall responsibility for supporting 150 local
authorities across the country in delivering and promoting online
school admissions.
For secondary applications, parents can apply across different
boroughs by filling in a single application form. Parents can also
access useful online services, such as Ofsted reports and school
prospectuses, which can help them to select a school.
If an applicant changes their mind, or their circumstances
alter, amendments can be made right up until the school admissions
deadline.
And if an application has not been submitted a week before the
deadline, reminders are automatically sent via e-mail. Once the
application has been completed, parents get an immediate
confirmation of receipt via e-mail.
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