Agenda item

Further to Minute No. 25 of the meeting of the Local Admissions Forum held on 20^th March, 2008, consideration was given to a report presented by the Principal Officer, Forward Planning (Children and Young People’s Services) concerning the implications of the Ministerial Statement made by Schools Minister Jim Knight M.P., entitled ‘Strengthening the School Admissions System’.

The report stated that, in December 2007, the Government published its Children’s Plan which included a pledge to monitor the impact of the new Schools Admission Code. As a result, Government officials were asked to carry out an analysis of the published admissions arrangements for 2008 in three local authority areas – Northamptonshire, Manchester and Barnet. This analysis led to the School Minister’s decision to produce the statement which included plans for ‘strengthening the admissions system for 2009’. The principal points of the statement were:-

(i) Strengthening the role of local authorities – local authorities to produce a report each year on the legality, fairness and effectiveness of all school admissions arrangements in their area.

(ii) Improving Admissions Forums - consultation on further steps that can be taken to ensure that forums operate as effectively as possible.

(iii) Consulting and engaging communities and parents more effectively – effective consultation should include all those who have an interest in admissions policies, including parents. There will be consultation on steps to be taken.

(iv) Properly informing parents – a new guide for parents on the admissions and appeals codes is to be produced.

(v) Extending the role of the Schools Adjudicator - Schools Adjudicator to report on steps to be taken to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements in respect of 2009 admissions arrangements. Additionally, the period for objections is to be extended.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has subsequently:-

(a) Published ‘Primary and Secondary School Admissions and Appeals: A Guide for Parents’ in April 2008;

(b) Requested the Schools Adjudicator to seek confirmation from all local authorities that full consultation on all admissions policies and procedures has taken place for 2009/2010. Admissions booklets including all existing policies have been forwarded to the Schools Adjudicator together with any amended policies for that year. The Schools Adjudicator had tested samples of these and had reported back on aspects which appeared contravene the Admissions Code (this report was also provided for the Local Admissions Forum members).

(c) Drafted amendments to the Education and Skills Bill.

(d) Launched a consultation on changes which would include an updated Code. Conferences to discuss potential changes have been arranged to take place shortly with the consultation period ending on 2^nd October 2008.

(e) Extended the period for objections to admissions procedures to 31^st July.

The report also listed some of the potential changes to the school admissions system which were being suggested as part of the consultation process.

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

(2) That the report of the Schools Adjudicator on the sample testing of the school admissions booklets be noted and the Local Admissions Forum supports the inclusion of the following revised definitions to be included in future admissions policies published by the Council and by voluntary aided schools (and schools be reminded accordingly):-

- sibling

- distance (definition of Ordnance Survey seed point)

- additional/supplementary forms

- parents / family members

(3) Additionally, it be noted that the reference to ‘local school’ should be removed from the Additional Information Form.

(4) That further guidance be awaited from the Department for Children, Schools and Families in respect of the reference to the potential removal of “Christ-centred education” as an admissions criterion.

(5) That, with regard to the admissions policy of Aston All Saints Church of England (Aided) Primary School:-

(a) the Local Admissions Forum notes the Schools Adjudicator's concerns that a “place of request form” ought not to be used as a tie-breaker within the admissions criteria, as it appears to contravene paragraph 2.13 of the DCSF Admissions Code of Practice; and

(b) the Local Admissions Forum shall make a formal objection to the Schools Adjudicator in line with the Code of Practice and the recent Ministerial letter, against the inclusion of this tie-breaker in the admissions criteria for Aston All Saints Church of England (Aided) Primary School.

(6) That, in response to the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ consultation, it is the view of this Local Admissions Forum that the role and structure of Local Admissions Forums shall remain unchanged.

(7) That the Governing Bodies for the Treeton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School and the Wickersley St. Alban’s Church of England (Aided) Primary School should reconsider aspects of their current policies which could be seen as confusing for parents.