Agenda and minutes

Agreed:- That Mrs. I. Hartley be appointed Chair of this meeting.

(Mrs. I. Hartley in the Chair)

Agreed:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Local Admissions Forum, held on 7th July, 2011, be approved as a correct record.

(A) With regard to item 6 (Free Schools – Proposals for the Rotherham Borough Area – Update) the following details were noted:-

Brinsworth Comprehensive School became an Academy in October 2010

Wales High School became an Academy in October 2010

Aston Comprehensive School became an Academy on 1 May 2011

Winterhill Comprehensive School has now become a Foundation Trust School

The progress of the possible development of a ‘free school’ in the centre of Rotherham was discussed. It was noted that the proposal for a ‘free school’ in the Dearne area was not now proceeding.

(B) With regard to item 7 (Travellers Children), there was no further information concerning any development of a site in the Rotherham Borough area for the travellers community.

(C) With regard to item 9 (Admission Appeals and pressure on primary school places), Members noted the proposals to provide building extensions and additional accommodation at both the Flanderwell and the Thornhill Primary Schools.

Details of the current membership of the Rotherham Local Admissions Forum were noted and it was agreed that every endeavour be made to fill the vacant places.

The Local Admissions Forum was informed of recent changes to the organisational structure of the Borough Council’s Children and Young People's Services Directorate, including the School Admissions, Organisation and Special Educational Needs Assessment Service.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Head of School Admissions, Organisation and Special Educational Needs Assessment Service concerning the admission arrangements (ie: criteria and admission number) which would apply for school admission in the 2013/2014 academic year.

The timetable for the year is:-

Autumn Term, 2011                          governing bodies to consider the

                                                            arrangements which will apply

by 19^th December, 2011                  all relevant details to be forwarded to the

Borough Council

from 4^th January until             period of consultation via the Borough

2^nd March, 2012                                Council’s Internet web site

by end of March, 2012                      Borough Council and the Local Admissions Forum consider any changes and forward any comments to appropriate Admission Authority(ies)

by 13^th April, 2012                            all admission authorities to determine their arrangements and notify those consulted

The report made reference to the admission criteria and numbers for both community and controlled schools and for voluntary aided schools. The Local Admissions Forum noted that there were no proposed changes to the admission criteria for 2013/2014.

Included within the report were details of each community and controlled school’s proposed admission number for 2013/2014 (appendix two of the report submitted).

The Borough Council currently co-ordinates admission arrangements during the normal admission round. It was noted that these co-ordinated arrangements would be continuing.

Agreed:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That a further report be submitted to the next meeting of the Local Admissions Forum detailing the outcome of the consultation process about the school admission arrangements for the 2013/14 academic year.

Discussion took place on the revised School Admissions Code and School Admissions Appeal Code, which would become effective from 1 February 2012 and affect the 2013/14 admissions intake.

Members of the Local Admissions Forum will be able to gain access to the details of admission to primary school 2012/2013, via the Borough Council Internet web site. A limited number of booklets are also available to parents upon request.