EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND
LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE – 20 OCTOBER 2003
The Isle of Wight Admissions
Forum - UPDATE
STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
The Education Act 2002 required LEAs to establish Admissions Forums to co-ordinate admissions arrangements in their areas. As my report to the Select Committee of 19 May mentioned, the task had to be undertaken at very short notice. The purpose of this report is to inform members of developments that have taken place to date.
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ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT
COMMITTEE The
Select Committee is asked to note: (a)
the role of and work undertaken
by the Admissions Forum (b)
that the September 2004
admissions round is now proceeding according to the published timetable (c)
that co-ordinated admissions
schemes for September 2005 (see attached appendices – Primary Schools, Middle Schools and High Schools) have
now been agreed |
BACKGROUND
1. The Education Act 2002 required LEAs to establish Admissions
Forums. The functions of Admissions
Forums are to:
·
Get together to discuss
the effectiveness of local admissions arrangements.
·
Seek agreements on how
to deal with difficult admission issues and advise admission authorities on
ways in which their arrangements can be improved.
2. Admission authorities such as LEAs and
aided schools must have regard to advice given by the Forum for their
area. Membership of the Isle of Wight
Admissions Forum comprises representatives from the LEA, Schools, the Church of
England and Catholic Dioceses, parent governors (from the Education Select
Committee) and Early Years. The Isle of Wight Admissions Forum has met twice
since its first meeting on 2 April 2003. Items discussed have included:
·
Current admissions
arrangements on the Island
·
School capacities and
admissions limits
·
Bringing forward the
admissions timetable for September 2004 in order to meet the requirements of
new government legislation
·
Information to be
supplied to parents for the September 2004 admissions round
·
Agreeing co-ordinated
admissions schemes for September 2005 admissions
3. The admissions round for September 2004
is now underway with information packs having been sent to around 4500 parents
whose children are either due to enter or transfer school next September. A
full publicity campaign in shops, supermarkets, doctors’ and dentists’
surgeries, post offices etc and the local media is now being undertaken to
raise parents’ awareness. Copies of the new information booklets for parents
were sent to members in September.
4. The last meeting of the Admissions Forum
took place on 9 October 2003 when co-ordinated admissions schemes for September
2005 admissions were agreed. Under these schemes the LEA will be responsible
for publishing and co-ordinating admissions arrangements for all schools, including
aided schools. Copies of the schemes have to be sent to and approved by the
Secretary of State for Education & Skills.
5. The minutes of the last meeting of the
Isle of Wight Admissions Forum have been sent to members for information.
RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES,
STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The
LEA, as admissions authority for all community and controlled schools on the
Island, must have regard to comments made by the Admissions Forum. However, any proposed changes to its
admissions policy must still be agreed by the Council’s Executive.
Admissions Forums are mandatory requirements under the law and so no consultation took place concerning the establishment of the Forum for the Isle of Wight. However, consultation did take place over membership. Two elected members, Mrs J Wareham CC and Mr M Cunningham CC, represent the LEA on the Forum along with Ms J Boxx. The co-ordinated admissions schemes agreed by the Forum at its last meeting on 9 October will be sent to schools, the dioceses etc for comment early in the new year.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS
There are no major financial implications in this case although the cost of holding meetings at County Hall and the paperwork for Agendas etc is borne by the Council. Clerking of the Admissions Forum is undertaken by the Client Services Section of the Education & Community Development Directorate within its existing staffing budget.
APPENDICES ATTACHED
Copies
of draft co-ordinated admissions schemes considered by the Admissions Forum.
BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT
·
Education Act 2002
·
2002 Admissions Code of
Practice
·
Minutes of meetings of
the Admissions Forum.
Contact Point: Mark Goswell, Education Officer, Client Services. Telephone: 823494. E-mail: [email protected]
David Pettitt
Strategic Director of Education and Community Development