A Norwich secondary school has become the first in Norfolk to adopt a "fair banding" admissions policy - which sees prospective pupils tested before they join.

Jane Austen College first made its intentions known to bring in the controversial policy two years ago, when it consulted on it.

However, this is the first year in which the school has put the policy into practice for September 2023 starters.

Fair banding is a form of admissions policy which sees Year 6 pupils take a short test, which makes up part of their application for a place.

Once the tests are completed, the school places applicants into one of four 'bands' based on the academic ability they show with the answers.

This banding is then used to help school leaders determine which pupils are admitted, with the aim being to select equal numbers from each band.

The purpose of this is to make sure the school has an even spread of abilities across the year group, once pupils eventually begin in September.

The school's admissions policy states: "This is not a pass or fail test and students and parents should not be concerned about it at all.

"The college will admit students representing all levels of ability among applicants for admission to the college."

It is estimated that around one in 12 schools nationwide has adopted the policy - however, Jane Austen College is the first in the county to introduce it. 

Pupils applying to attend the school from either Charles Darwin Academy or Norwich Primary Academy have been completing their assessments in school - but applicants from elsewhere have been required to visit Jane Austen to take it.

The college's website describes it as "a really fair way to ensure we get a spread of abilities entering our school".

However, critics of the approach in the past have suggested it may put children from deprived backgrounds at a disadvantage.

Jane Austen College began consulting on whether to introduce the policy in December 2020, with the school oversubscribed in September 2021.

The Inspiration Trust, which runs Jane Austen College, was approached for comment on the system but did not provide one.