Contact: Alex Munro - Education Officer (Admissions and Special Projects) 01962 846462 ([email protected])

1 Summary

The following decision is sought:

1.1. that the County Council adopt:

· the revised admission policies for community and voluntary controlled schools, including published admission numbers for community and voluntary controlled schools, set out in Annexes A, B, C and D (as amended following the meeting of the Education Policy Review Committee on 15 March 2005-none of the amendments are substantive);

· the schemes for co-ordinating primary and secondary admissions, set out in Annexes E and F;

· the school specific criteria listed in Annexe G;

and

1.2. that the County Education Officer, on behalf of the County Council and having regard to any advice from the Admission Forum, be empowered:

· to authorise the publication of local notices in those instances where there is agreement with governors of community and voluntary controlled schools that a lower PAN should be published;

· to lodge an objection to the Schools Adjudicator in respect of any aspect of an admission authority school's or neighbouring LEA's admissions arrangements which appear to be at variance with legal requirements of Code of Practice advice, taking into account factors at the school, the possible effect on admissions to other schools and the outcome of further consultations.

2 Reason

This decision supports Aims 1 (maximising life opportunities), 4 (building strong and safe communities) and 5 (improving services) of the Corporate Strategy by setting out clear and fair policies for admissions to schools, with priority for admission being given to those living within the local area, whilst ensuring that the County Council's procedures are fully up-dated to reflect legislation and government guidance.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

The recommendations are based on extensive consultations with schools and neighbouring local education authorities and have the full support of the Hampshire Admission Forum. Admission arrangements are governed by substantial legislation and advice in the Code of Practice (DfES 2003). In practice, therefore, there is no scope for major local variation.

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

None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - N/A

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - All admission arrangements must be determined by 15 April 2005.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor D A Kirk

Executive Member for Education