Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17^th February, 2022.

Agreed:- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17^th February, 2022, be approved as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

Consideration was given to the progress in submitting the annual report to the School’s Adjudicator setting out the admission arrangements for Rotherham, which must be done by the new later deadline of 30^th October, 2022.

A further report would be presented to the November meeting as an update.

Agreed:- That the progress and deadline for the submitting of the annual report to the School’s Adjudicator be noted.

Consideration was given to the Academies update as at April, 2022.  A newer version had now been provided for all conversions as at June, 2022.

It was noted that West Melton Primary conversion had been delayed to September, 2022 and three faith schools had withdrawn their applications until further notice.

Anticipated conversions to academy status for September, 2022 were Newman Special School and the new school run by the Joint Team Education Trust, which had since been named as the “Elements Academy”.

Forum Members were keen to learn how many mainstream schools remained and were advised in the region of approximately twenty.

Agreed:-  That the information as presented by received and the contents noted.

Consideration was given to the latest position in terms of Admissions and the service were preparing for the opening of the 2023 admissions rounds with the secondary applications being open from the 1^st July, 2022 the primary applications being open from August, 2022 and the Year 2 to 3 transition applications being open from October, 2022.

It was noted that late and transfer applications were still being received.

All secondary appeals for Year 6/7 on time appeals had been dealt with and further dates were scheduled for late application appeals during June and July.

Further detail on admission data would be provided to the Forum in due course.

Forum Members welcomed the update, but in doing so noted the bizarre high number of appeal applications when there was no significant increase in birth rate.

The situation at Waverley new community was also concerning when there were significantly more applications than places.  The DfE had confirmed the position that there was no further funding for additional classrooms when there were surplus places at schools in the surrounding area.

Parents who had been unsuccessful had raised their concerns with the Admissions Authority and their Member of Parliament; detail of which had also appeared in the media.

Agreed:- That the update be received and the contents noted.

Consideration was given to the latest position in relation to admission appeals and Forum Members were advised of the potential for changes to the legislation when the School Admissions (England) (Coronavirus) (Appeals Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 expired at the end of September, 2022.

It was anticipated that there may be changes to the hearings with the potential for some virtual hearings to remain.

Whilst not all Forum Members welcomed the continuation of virtual hearings and some hoped that face to face meetings at the Town Hall would soon resume, in the main virtual hearings had been welcomed by parents as they found the whole process less stressful and certainly less intimidating.

Agreed:-  That the update be received and the contents noted.

Consideration was given to the Fair Access Update and Forum Members were advised that young people would continue to be referred in terms of fair access onto the South, Central and Wickersley Pupil Management Groups for consideration. Where they could not be placed they would then be referred onto the Strategic Fair Access Panel for placement. These groups have worked well this academic year with placing students, despite the many challenges have presented for students and staff.

To date thirty-one children had been allocated places under the Fair Access Protocol after all other statutory processes had been exhausted.

Agreed:- That the update be received and the contents noted.

An update was provided on the current position where it was confirmed the Cabinet had agreed to funding for additional places at Brinsworth Academy, which would see more provision for an additional thirty places per year group.

This would allow for further growth as the Waverley community expanded and would serve to provide an additional 150 places in the area.

The Forum also noted the latest position with regards to the SEMH free school now called the “Elements Academy”, which would be open from September, 2022.  Positive feedback had been received from all those involved in the process.

Agreed:- That the update be received and the contents noted.

Consideration was given to the update was provided on the current position with regards to term dates for 2023/24 which included the fixed dates for Easter.

Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham were now fixed, but Barnsley were opting for traditional.

It was hoped that Barnsley would realign in due course so the four South Yorkshire Authorities would be the same.

Agreed:-  That the update be received and the contents noted.

Thursday, 17^th November, 2022, commencing at 10.00 a.m.

Agreed:- That the next meeting of the Local Admissions Forum take place on Thursday, 17^th November, 2022 at 10.00 a.m