Archived decisions

SCHOOL ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2008/09

1. Allied to the Education and Inspections Act 2006, a new School Admissions Code has recently come into force. It requires changes to be made in the County Council's admission arrangements at both primary and secondary levels and is to operate from September 2008. The main change involves the need to adopt an `equal preference' allocation system in relation to school admissions in place of the existing `first preference first' arrangement. The impact of this change will be felt in particular by the Central Admissions Team within the Children's Services Department as they will, in future, be required to operate all the administration of the main admissions round. Until now, schools have supported this process and handled much of this work. To meet the new demands a funding bid to the Schools Forum has been successful and planning is underway for September 2008. A further important change involves a revision to the role and powers of the Admissions Forum in overseeing admissions to Hampshire schools.

2. In response to new regulations, admission authorities have had to determine their school admission arrangements for 2008/09 by 15 April 2007 and to have notified other admission authorities of this within fourteen days. To meet this requirement Hampshire has undertaken extensive consultations on the new school admission arrangements. As well as involving its schools and neighbouring local authorities, the public have also been included via families involved in the 2007 admissions round. The results of the consultations were considered by the Admissions Forum on 6 March 2007. The County Council has a statutory duty to "have regard" to the recommendations of this Forum. The Executive Member for Education has considered a detailed report on this item which has included the recommendations of the Admissions Forum. The new school admission arrangements for 2008/09 have been adopted by the Executive Member along with the other required related schemes and policies. As in previous years, the Director of Children's Services has been authorised to undertake if necessary, certain arrangements in appropriate cases. A copy of the report on this matter is available in the Members' Rooms.

3. These decisions frame parents' opportunity to express a preference for a school place as well as enabling children to attend a preferred school and so have a sound start to their schooling. This supports the Council's Corporate priorities.