Contact: Alex Munro, Education Officer (Admissions & Special Projects) 01962 846462; [email protected]

1 Summary

The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Member for Education

1.1 Approves the following details of admission arrangements to community and voluntary controlled schools for 2007:

· 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 and B;

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

· the published admission numbers for community and voluntary controlled schools set out in Annexes F and G;

· the school specific criteria listed in Annexe H.

1.2 Agrees that the Director of Children's Services, 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 admission arrangements which appear to be at variance with legal requirements or 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

1.3 Agrees that an informal information dissemination exercise be carried out with schools and diocesan authorities during the summer term 2006 to explain the possible implications of moving to an equal preference allocation system from 2008 admissions at the earliest.

1.4 Notes the minor typographical amendments to Paragraph 4.1 (final sentence) and to Paragraph 10.1 (final sentence) of the covering report on this item presented to the meeting of the Children's Services Policy Review Committee on 14.3.06 - none of the amendments are substantive.

2 Reason

The County Council must approve admissions arrangements for community and voluntary schools for 2007 admissions by 15 April 2006. The proposals support Aims 1, 4 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy (maximising life opportunities, building strong and safe communities and improving services) by ensuring that all admission arrangements are `clear, fair and objective' as required by the School Admissions Code of Practice; at the same time, the proposals also further the Council's duties in relation to the Children Act 2004.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

The Council has limited flexibility to consider alternative options since it must ensure that all proposals are legal and in line with Code of Practice guidance. The Admission Forum has reviewed consultation responses and the recommendations carry their full support. The County Council must `have regard' to the Forum's recommendations.

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 - N/A

Approved by: Date:

Councillor D Kirk

Executive Member for Education