Agenda item

Martin Harrop reported on the Membership and Function of the Local Admissions Forum in accordance with section 85A of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 as contained in the new Admissions Code.

 

The meeting considered the appropriate Extracts from the new Admissions Code relating to:

 

-                       Statutory role of Admission Forums

-                       Ensuring fair access

-                       Reports on effectiveness of local admission arrangements

 

Attention was drawn to the sentence which stated that “Admission authorities of all maintained schools and Academies, when exercising their functions, must have regard to any advice offered by the Forum”.  It was felt this was of particular relevance given the lack of powers of LAFs.

 

Membership

 

The meeting considered a table on core membership of Admission Forums as set out in regulations, and compared this with the current membership of representative groups.

 

The new Code extends the membership beyond the core membership to all Primary and Secondary Schools.  Each representative of a school should be a head teacher, or a governor (other than one appointed to the school by the local authority who is also a member of the authority).  However, the Code does not expect every school to attend.

 

It was suggested that schools should be asked for their views on membership and attendance.  The best way forward might be to, perhaps, provide all schools with a link to agendas and minutes with a general invite to attend, but with a reminder that they are already represented through the core school group membership.

 

The core membership of Admission Forums is set out in regulations and is:-

 

Members Nominated By                                                                    Number

 

Local Authority – any representative of the Authority                 1-5

 

Schools:

Community and Voluntary Controlled                                     1-3

Foundation                                                                                          1-3

Voluntary Aided                                                                                   1-3

 

Church of England Diocesan Board                                                 1-3

 

Roman Catholic Diocese                                                                  1-3

 

Parent Governor                                                                                1-3

 

Representatives of the Local Community                                          Up to 3

 

Academies (Not applicable to Rotherham)

City Technology Colleges/Technology College (Not applicable to Rotherham)

 

The meeting confirmed the following membership in accordance with the new Admissions Code.

 

CORE MEMBERSHIP

Rotherham LEA     (3)                  

Councillor Jane Austen                     

Councillor Colin Barron

Councillor Iain St. John

                                               

CHURCH OF ENGLAND        (3)      

Mr. B. N. Sampson                

Carol Sellars                                      

Mrs. G. Atkin

 

DIOCESE OF HALLAM, RC    (3)      

Father Anthony Hayne

Clare Thorp

Mrs. H. McLaughlin

                                   

SCHOOLS -

COMMUNITY AND CONTROLLED (3)            

Mrs. I. G. Hartley

(Two vacancies)                                                                     

 

SCHOOL –

VOLUNTARY AIDED     (3)

Mr. G. Lancashire

(Two vacancies)

 

COMMUNITY REPS    (3)    

Mrs. P. Powell

Mr. F. Hedge

Mr. P. Robins

 

PARENT GOVERNOR REP (1)

Mr. M. Hall

 

Others invited to attend – Early Years Development Officer and Mr. M. A. Khan

 

Agreed:-   (1)  That with regard to the expectation placed on the Forum under the new Admissions Code, and the need to fulfil the duties of the LAF, an Annual Report be compiled and published in respect of Rotherham LAF.  A copy of the Annual Report should be sent to all schools.

 

(2)         That the extract on Membership of Admission Forums be sent to all schools and their views sought on the best way forward.  

 

(3)         That as from the date of the next meeting all schools be provided with a link to the meeting’s agenda and reports.

 

(4)  That representatives be sought to fill vacancies on the Schools Group for both Community and Controlled schools, and also Voluntary Aided schools.