Minutes for Local Admissions Forum meeting, Jun 23 2009, 6.00PM official page

50. Minutes of the meeting of the former Local Admissions Forum on 10 March 2009

Resolved - That the minutes of the former Local Admissions Forum held on 10 March 2009 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

51. Holmes, M.; Wade, J.

52. Admissions to Maintained Nursery Classes 2010/11 – Proposed Change to Administrative Process

(Schedule 1)

Andrew Marsden, Head of School Organisation, Admissions and Transport, presented a report containing the proposed changes to the admissions to Maintained Nursery School process.  The Forums views were sought on the proposals to devolve the admissions process to the schools, which would enable an earlier indication of probable numbers for September intake, and assist in the appropriation of budget and resources.

Members raised concern that the online and verbal application options were to be withdrawn, and this may disadvantage some sectors of the population.  It was proposed that consultation would take place during the autumn term prior to the anticipated implementation for admissions 2010/11.

RESOLVED – That the report be received by Forum and an investigation be undertaken in relation to the continuance of telephone and online applications for parents.

53. Change to In Year Admission Process

(Schedule 2)

The Forum were presented with a draft coordinated In Year Admission Scheme, which had been placed upon local authorities as a new statutory duty.  Consultation with the Forum was required by the regulations and members were asked for their views.  Representation was made concerning the timescales that were attached to the process, in view of the schools that were their own authority.  Where these applications could not be resolved without consultation to the schools governing body, it would be both impracticable and illegal in the convening of hearings, which require seven days notice by law.  It was agreed that every effort would be made to ensure that the turn around time would be kept to a minimum and preferably within ten working days.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

54. Qualifying Coordinated Admissions Schemes for 2011/12

(Schedule 3)

The School Admission Regulation 2008 requires that the Local Authority consult the Local Admissions Forum on the Coordinated Admission Scheme for 2011/12 before consultations with neighbouring authorities and governing bodies that are their own admission authority.  Plans are to be in place by 1 January 2010 and therefore it is necessary that consultation would take place during the autumn term 2009. 

Members were asked for recommendations and advice on the draft proposals attached to the report.  The proposals reflected the measures that had previously been implemented for Staffordshire high school transfer admissions, which are coordinated with adjacent authorities and governing bodies.  The previous scheme did not cover coordinated primary school admissions.  Therefore, to comply with the School Admission (Coordination of Admission Arrangements (England)) Regulation 2008, the scheme was subject to revision.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

55. Annual Report to School Adjudicator on Admissions Arrangements

(Schedule 4)

The School Admissions Code 2009 now required that local authorities produce a report to the Schools Adjudicator by 30 June each year, to replace the Local Admissions Forum Annual Report.  The report template provided required information relating to the legality, fairness and effectiveness of the authorities admissions arrangements. 

Members’ views were sought prior to the finalisation and dispatch of the document.  Discussion on the Choice Advisor Service offered to parents, raised points on Fair Access Protocols relating to Crown Service families.  Members made representations that the report should reflect any difficulties securing a school place that are experienced by service families relocated into Staffordshire.  It was suggested that some monitoring of these incidences to develop a best practice model may be appropriate.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

56. 2010/11 Admissions Policy for Landau Forte Academy Tamworth

(Schedule 5)

The Forum wereadvised of the approved admissions policy for the Landau Forte Academy Tamworth.  Members noted the oversubscription criteria for Year 7, stated that random selection by lots would be applied where applications were indistinguishable.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

57. Date of Next Meeting is Tuesday 3 November 2009 at 7 pm