APPENDIX A

 

MINUTES OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT ADMISSIONS FORUM HELD AT 9.30 AM ON WEDNESDAY 2 APRIL IN COMMITTEE ROOM 1, COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT

 

PRESENT:

Matt Atkins

Aided Schools

 

Jackie Boxx

LEA

 

Mike Cunningham

LEA

 

Pam Henley

Community & Controlled Middle Schools

 

Mary Hoather

Community & Controlled High Schools

 

Liz Hodson

Church of England Diocese

 

Mark Lee

Community & Controlled Primary Schools

 

Neil Mitchell

Parent Governor

 

Maureen Muncaster

Early Years

 

Urszula Topp

Catholic Diocese

 

Jill Wareham

LEA

 

Jeannette Adams

Ex-Officio

 

Mark Goswell

Ex-Officio

 

Kim Johnson

Ex-Officio

 

Julie Cheek

Clerk

 

1.

Apologies were received from Marion Wilson (Parent Governor)

 

2.

INTRODUCTION

 

As this was the first meeting of the Isle of Wight Admissions Forum, Kim Johnson gave a brief introduction to members.

 

3.

 

CONSTITUTION & TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

Discussion took place concerning the constitution and terms of reference of the Forum which were outlined in Paper A of the agenda papers. This was an extract from the new School Admissions Code of Practice.  Members noted that the role of the Forum is to provide advice and guidance to admission authorities and to discuss the effectiveness of local admissions arrangements. Communication with parents will be one of the most important issues for the Forum.

 

The need for two additional members to represent the community was considered. It was unanimously agreed that this matter should be deferred until the next meeting when members will be more aware of the scope and functions of the forum.

 

4.

CURRENT ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS

 

Mark Goswell outlined current admission arrangements on the Island and indicated that these were generally working well.  Members were reminded that, as a result of a critical Ombudsman’s decision in July 2001, the LEA’s policy of guaranteeing school places to children was abolished in January 2002, when a new admissions policy was introduced.  The new policy has had a major effect on school placements for children who come to the Island from the mainland and those already resident on the Island whose parents ask for a change of school during the school year. The LEA has also had to meet additional costs of transporting children to out of area middle and high schools because their local schools have been full.

 

Members noted that waiting lists are established for oversubscribed schools and these have proved very successful in allowing many children with the highest priority under the oversubscription criteria to attend their local school.  The LEA’s oversubscription criteria is used to determine a child’s place on the waiting list.   Waiting lists are reviewed on a regular basis. 

 

The subject of the new cluster groups established by the LEA was raised; in particular the question as to whether it might be possible to include information about the clusters in the parents' information booklet.  Members also discussed the issue of the LEA’s school priority areas. It was noted, however, that although the role of the Forum may be to have a view on particular aspects of admissions policy, any changes would need to be considered and agreed by the admissions authority concerned. 

 

Issues regarding 6th form admissions numbers, funding from the Learning and Skills Council and how high schools would have to share funds in the future were also highlighted.

 

5.

EDUCATION ACT 2002

 

Mark Goswell outlined the various changes to admissions arrangements outlined in the 2002 Education Act.  These are that:

 

  • LEAs must establish Admissions Forums
  • LEAs are required to set up co-ordinated admissions schemes
  • Some aspects of admissions law have been clarified/changed i.e. with effect from September 2004 admissions, a school’s admissions number should normally reflect the figure indicated by the DfES net capacity assessment. If the LEA, in agreement with the school concerned, proposes to publish an admissions number which is lower than the capacity assessment figure, it will need to be confident that the case is sufficiently robust to withstand an independent investigation by the School’s Adjudicator.  Kim Johnson indicated that this may have implications for some Island schools.

 

Co-ordinated admissions schemes

 

Members noted that:

 

  • Co-ordinated schemes must be in place for September 2005
  • For September 2005 admissions, parents will apply to the LEA for a place at all schools using a common application form
  • All children entering or transferring school in England and Wales are to receive one offer of a school place on 1 March (National Offer Day)
  • Co-ordinated schemes must be submitted to and approved by the Department for Education and Skills

 

Implications/action suggested for the Isle of Wight

 

The following proposals were considered and unanimously supported by members:

 

  • The current admissions timetable should be brought forward
  • A ‘Trial run’ of some of the new arrangements be undertaken for September 2004 admissions so that any problems can be identified in good time.
  • Application forms and the admissions prospectus will need to be supplied to parents by early October 2003.
  • The  closing date for applications for September 2004 admissions should be

            28 November 2003

 

Plans for an information campaign to ensure that parents are made aware of the changes were discussed.  Members were advised that a well developed advertising programme using local media, doctors/dentists surgeries, supermarkets, post offices etc. is already in place.

 

6.

ELECTION OF CHAIR/VICE-CHAIR

 

Having been nominated by Jill Wareham and seconded by Urszula Topp, Matt Atkins was elected as Chair of the Forum. Jackie Boxx was elected as Vice-Chair having been nominated by Liz Hodson, and seconded by Mary Hoather.

 

7.

 

ELECTION OF SECRETARY TO THE ADMISSIONS FORUM

 

Mark Goswell was elected as Secretary to the Forum.

 

8.

 

ADMISSIONS TIMETABLE FOR SEPTEMBER 2004

 

In addition to the action agreed in section 5 above, it was decided that schools should be asked to bring forward the dates of their information evenings to late September / October 2003.  It was suggested that the LEA should co-ordinate the  middle/high school information evenings and that these schools should give their provisional dates to the Admissions Office by May half term.

 

9.

LITERATURE TO BE SUPPLIED TO PARENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2004

ADMISSIONS

 

It was agreed that a separate information booklet for parents should be produced for each school sector.  Draft copies will be submitted to members of the Forum around two weeks before their next meeting on 26 June. Due to the tight time scale officers hope that these will be signed off by the Forum at that meeting.

 

It was suggested that application forms and information booklets regarding admissions for September 2004 should be circulated to parents at the beginning of the autumn term and before school information evenings take place.  Mark Goswell indicated that this would be difficult for the coming admissions round but that the LEA would be prepared to consider moving towards this for September 2005 admissions. Members suggested that a flyer be circulated to parents whose children are due to enter or transfer school in September 2004 towards the end of the summer term 2003 so they are made aware of the changes to the admissions timetable at an early stage. The LEA will arrange for this to be carried out.  For admissions in September 2004, the LEA will send a letter to all parents, at the start of the autumn term, giving details of the amended timetable and outlining the dates of the middle and high school information evenings.

 

10.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

26th June 2003  at 9.30 am in Committee Room 2, County Hall, Newport

 

Suggested Agenda Items:    1. Membership of the Admissions Forum

                                              2. Admissions Numbers for September 2004

                                              3. Parents’ Information Booklets

 

The meeting concluded at 12.10 pm.