Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report presented by the School Organisation, Planning and Development Manager concerning:-

- the new Regulations in respect of school admissions (detailed at Appendix 1 of the report submitted); and

- changes required to be made to the membership of the Local Admissions Forum.

The various new Regulations implemented by Government are:-

-The School Admissions (Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2008

-The School Admissions (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2008

-The School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admission Forums) (England) Regulations 2008

-The Education (Admissions Appeals Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008

The School Information (England) Regulations 2008

The principal changes resulting from the new Regulations are:-

i) admissions consultation now includes parents and ‘others who appear to have an interest’;

ii) consultation can be undertaken every three years (rather than annually) where there are no proposed changes to the admission arrangements;

iii) co-ordination of admission arrangements will, from 2010/2011, fully cover Primary and Secondary applications (including late and in-year applications) and all applications will be made to the home authority;

iv) the local authority rather than the local admissions forum will produce the main annual report on school admissions matters;

v) appeals panels can consider the lawfulness of admission arrangements and can uphold an infant class size appeal if an unlawful admissions policy prevented a place being offered to the appellant;

vi) the new Regulations amend the membership of the Local Admissions Forum.

It was noted that this report had also been considered by the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Lifelong Learning (Minute No. 41 of the Cabinet Member’s meeting held on 24^th February, 2009, refers).

Consideration was given to the requirement to revise the membership of this Local Admissions Forum.

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

(2) That the changes resulting from the new Regulations, as outlined at Appendix 1 to the report submitted, be noted.

(3) That the membership of the Rotherham Local Admissions Forum shall be amended in accordance with the requirements of the School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admission Forums) (England) Regulations 2008.

(4) That the membership of the Rotherham Local Admissions Forum shall be as follows:-

Community Schools : 2 members (1 Primary and 1 Secondary)

Mrs. I. G.  Hartley (Wath Comprehensive School and Mr. C. E. Kelsey (Bramley Sunnyside Infant School)

Voluntary Controlled Schools : 1 member

Mr. M. Hall, Kilnhurst Church of England (Aided) Primary School

Voluntary Aided Schools : 3 members

Mrs G. Atkin (St. Albans Church of England Primary School)

Mrs. H. McLaughlin (St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Herringthorpe)

Father Hayne (St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Herringthorpe)

Academy : 1 member

vacant, pending the development of an Academy at Maltby

Church Dioceses : 2 members

Diocese of Hallam : Ms. C. Thorpe

Sheffield Diocese : Mrs. H. Morris

Parent : 1 member, to be appointed at the next meeting (2^nd July 2009)

Community Representatives (10)

Councillor I. C. Barron

Councillor J. Falvey

Councillor A. L. Rushforth

Mr. G. Lancashire

Mrs. P. Powell

Mr. P. Robins

Mr. B. Sampson

One vacancy

One representative of the Early Years Nursery (voluntary) sector

One representative of the Black and Minority Ethnic community

(5) That the members of the Rotherham Local Admissions Forum, as shown at (4) above, shall serve for a period of four years commencing 19^th March, 2009.

(6) That every endeavour be made to fill the vacant places on the Rotherham Local Admissions Forum.

(7) That the Regulations concerning the use of alternate/substitute members and also the quorum of meetings of the Local Admissions Forum be clarified.