Archived decisions

Headings

Description of what is wanted

Name:

School admission service

Proposed improvements

· 2002/3 follow-up survey of parents about admission 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.

· Increase use of ICT in admission procedures

· Review equality strategies.

Progress in implementing the Improvement Plan

· 487 responses to survey received from parents. Overwhelming approval of brochure information and procedures. Best suggestions included in 2004 LEA admissions brochure.

· Final decision not to include secondary catchment area maps in LEA brochure. Costs prohibitive and impossible to give sufficient detail to ensure 100% accuracy at catchment boundaries. Priority given to access via HCC website.

· Appeal statistics for 2001/2 admissions show 8% drop in appeals heard, but 7% increase in appeals won by parents. 2002/3 trends indicate a broadly similar pattern.

· Continuing difficulties in accessing benchmarking data from other LEAs and validity of conclusions in light of different admission policies, school organisation, etc.

· Changes in legislation require revision of previous ICT implementation plan. New focus on statutory requirement to co-ordinate secondary admissions with neighbouring LEAs from September 2006.

· Admission policy amended to ensure priority consideration of children with special educational needs and in the care of the local authority.

Future Plans

The following priorities are derived from the requirements of the Education Act 2002, associated regulations and a revised Code of Practice on admissions:

· Setting up of new Admission Forum in accordance with provisions of Education Act 2002.

· Implementation of new "relevant areas" framework for consultations on admission arrangements.

· Staged implementation of co-ordinated admissions 2004/6.

· Implementation of new published admission numbers in light of net-capacity assessment of school accommodation.

· Introduction of ICT module as part of co-ordination programme.

Contact for further information

Alex Munro on 01962 846462