Contact: Alex Munro, 01962 846462, [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the recommendation by the Hampshire Admission Forum that no change should be made to current "relevant area" arrangements in Hampshire be agreed and that these should continue to be used as the basis for consultations in relation to school admissions in September 2006 and 2007.

2 Reason

The Education Act 2002 made significant changes to "relevant area" legislation. In January 2003, these were considered by the Education Policy Review Committee and a new framework for consultation on admission arrangements was agreed by the Executive Member for Education on 23 January 2003. Local education authorities must review their arrangements every two years. Consultations have now been carried out and no change is recommended to the procedures agreed in 2003.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

The Admission Forum has reviewed the details of the present consultation structure and decided that, since the new arrangements have worked well, there is no reason to change.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

Not applicable

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

Not applicable

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

Hampshire's 76 admission authority schools must determine their admission arrangements for 2006 by 15 April 2005. Many schools have already started their consultations; it is important that they should be aware of this decision.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor Don Allen

Executive Member for Education