Archived decisions

Headings

Description of what is wanted

1. Name

School Admissions Service

2. Purpose

The service supports school improvement by providing admission arrangements that work for the benefit of all children and parents in Hampshire. This involves meeting as many parental preferences as possible, providing accurate information and guidance to parents, governors and headteachers as well as ensuring that the County Council's admissions policy and admissions arrangements are `clear, fair and objective' (Code of Practice) and meet legal requirements

3. Proposed Improvements

    · Improve the information provided to parents - especially on catchment areas, the LEA's legal duties, what `preference' means, the effects of applying to non-catchment schools and how to go about an appeal.

    · To write and publish for schools a single comprehensive volume of guidance about admissions and provide admissions training for newly appointed headteachers.

    · To maintain the LEA's position in the top quartile of performance indicators on admissions and improving the quality of both internal and external performance data.

    · Make better use of IT by implementing the unique pupil record (UPR) system to ensure that all children have a school place when they need one and to provide up-to-date information about admissions to parents and schools.

    · Resolve team management issues by implementing a revised staff structure, recruiting and retaining suitable staff and effectively monitoring workloads.

    · Follow-up survey of parental perceptions of and satisfaction with the appeals process.

    · Review of contacts with Year R parents, particularly the hard- to-reach groups.

4. Progress on implementing the improvement plan

    · Aiming to publish set of secondary catchment maps for admission round 2003-4; significant brochure revision completed to cover areas identified for improvement; detailed guidance on appeal process published; both brochure and appeal guidance have received Plain English Commission award.

    · Guidance published in June 2001. Three training sessions organised, attended by 127 headteachers; training extended to school admin. officers, for whom 6 sessions were organised.

    · Data for 2000-2001 more comprehensive and robust; despite increase in staffing admissions service remains very good value for money and retains its position overall in the top quartile.

    · Admissions module of the Impulse system viewed, purchase arranged and pilot of junior transfer proposed for 2004 (costs lower than expected). Full implementation expected 2005 onwards.

    · Review of staff structure deleted one post, otherwise fully staffed by September 2001.

    · Survey and report completed September 2001: in contrast to national surveys, high level of parental satisfaction achieved.

    · Co-operation of Health Authorities gained in enabling Health visitors to take school admission materials on home visits.

5. Plans for future implementation

    · 2002-2003 follow-up survey of parents about admissions processes in order to monitor parental approval ratings.

    · Publish secondary catchment area information for 2003 admissions round.

    · Continue to improve quality of data for monitoring performance including comparative information from other LEAs.

    · Review equality strategies.

6. Conclusion

The agreed service improvements are being met either as planned or ahead of schedule. The service as a whole continues to perform well against other LEA indicators and to provide a cost effective service.