Primary School Admissions Meeting 21 November 2014

Programme

• Welcome & Introductions 10:00am

• Context 10:10am

• In-Year Admissions 10:30am

• Nursery Admissions Process 11:00am

• Admission of Looked After Children 11:15am

• Open Session / Questions 11:30am

• Close 12:00 noon

Offers Staffordshire England

1st preference 92.4% 87.7%

1 of 3 preferences 98% 95.7%

Online Apps 79% None reported

Primary Preference Statistics Reception – 2014

208 additional places added over PAN in order to ensure that all children received an offer within a reasonable distance of home address

Type of Primary Admitting Authorities

Type of School

Who is the admitting authority?

Who deals with complaints about arrangements?

Who is responsible for arranging appeal?

Number Operating Within Staffs as at 1/10/14

Academies Academy Trust

Schools Adjudicator

Academy Trust

33

Community / Voluntary Controlled

Local Authority

Schools Adjudicator

Local Authority

194

Foundation / Voluntary Aided

Governing Body

Schools Adjudicator

Governing Body

68

Legislative Background

•School Standards and Framework Act 1998

•School Admissions Code 2012 (due to be updated Dec 14)

•School Admission Appeals Code

• School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Coordination of Admission Arrangements)(England) Regulations 2012

• The School Admissions (Infant Class Sizes)(England) Regulations 2012

• The School Admissions (Appeals)(England) Regulations 2012; and

• The School Information (England) Regulations 2008

Revised Admissions Code - Dec 2014

Due on 19 December, changes can be implemented in 2016/17 providing consultation takes place,

Key changes to include •extension of pupil premium or service premium criterion

•Nursery to Reception oversubscription criterion for EY pupil premium and service premium children

•Revised admissions timetable, consultation over 6 weeks, arrangements to be determined by 15 March

•Clarify admission of summer born children

Individual Admission Authorities - responsibilities

Individual admission authorities must ensure that own admissions arrangements comply with Code, this involves

•ensuring that criteria and practices are fair, clear and objective and that parents can look at arrangements and understand easily how places at that school are allocated;

•determining admission arrangements on an annual basis;

•Where no change consult at least every 7 years on proposed admission arrangements;

•Considering in-year applications for school places and where refuse, provide reasons and right of appeal;

Local Authority - responsibilities

•coordinate admission arrangements for its children i.e. enable parents to apply for school places and make final offer of school place on nationally determined date;

•publish composite prospectus;

•draw up and operate a Fair Access Protocol, including issuing directions where necessary;

•report annually to the Office of Schools Adjudicator (OSA) on relevant school admissions matters;

•refer cases of non-compliance to OSA.

School Issues with In Year Admissions

In-Year Admissions

• Pressure on available places in certain areas of County

• Increased number of permitted exceptions to infant class size legislation

• Increased number of “own admitting authorities” – nearly 36% primary schools

• Examples of maladministration

• Use of Fair Access Protocol

Examples of Maladministration

•Not allowing parents to make a formal application for school place i.e. verbally advising that no places and recommending placement elsewhere

•Not advising parents of their right of appeal or of how to exercise this right

•Failing to advise LA of refusal /offer of school place.

I refer to your recent application for a place for Bobby Brown in Year 1. On behalf of the Admissions Authority I regret to inform you that it is not able to offer a place as you do not reside in our catchment area. I should advise you that you do have the right to appeal against this decision to an Independent Appeals Panel.

 

http://education.staffordshire.gov.uk/Pupil-Support/School-Admissions/Admissions.aspx

Implementation of Fair Access Protocol

•Fair Access Protocol stipulates that all schools should take fair share of pupils (both with challenging behaviour and otherwise) – whether full or not, whether appeals previously heard / waiting lists operate

•Protocol used very few and far between in Staffordshire due to the partnership that exists and excellent work within schools to accommodate children complying with parental preference wherever possible

•Secondary colleagues operate District Inclusion Partnerships very effectively and in their absence at Primary School level some very difficult decision are taken at officer level in relation to which local school should be required to admit a child without a school place

Nursery Admissions Process

• What are the issues for schools?

• Are the admission arrangements for maintained schools regarding point of entry still appropriate?

• Admissions process coordinated through LA, any need? Could schools handle process? What could we do to assist?

Admission of Looked After Children

Presentation by Sarah Rivers, Virtual Headteacher

Open Session / Questions?