Liberal Democrats in Essex have today called on Essex County Council to lead and coordinate a local admissions policy to ensure fair access to schools for all children. In a motion put before a full council meeting, the Liberal Democrats highlighted flaws in government proposals that will see schools in Essex competing against each other for the most academic children. Anne Turrell, Liberal Democrats spokesman for education, said:

"We support schools having more independence, but this must work in the interests of all children whatever their academic ability. Fair admissions cannot be delivered on a school by school basis as this would result in schools being able to cherry pick the children they want and ignore the ones they don't want.

Who will speak for the special needs child, who will guarantee fairness and equality? These are the children who get a raw deal at the moment and we fear they will get an even worse deal if the Conservatives at County Hall do not deliver a properly coordinated admissions policy."