Agenda and draft minutes

None.

The report provides information on the outcome of  a wider consultation with the parents, carers and schools across the Muswell Hill area, following an initial consultation on the possible expansion of St James’ C of E Primary school,  on  primary reception school place provision in this area. The report also makes recommendations on the next steps required to ensure that we can continue to ensure school place sufficiency in the local area in years to come.

Demand for primary reception places in the borough was rising and additional school places were required from 2016 to ensure the Council could continue to meet its statutory duty to provide enough school places. Following an earlier consultation on the possible expansion of St James’ C of E Primary school, a wider consultation with parents, carers and schools across the Muswell Hill area was undertaken.

A report setting out responses to the wider consultation was considered. The Cabinet Member was asked to approve undertaking further feasibility work with a view to producing a report in July which would outline proposals for where additional places could be delivered.

Cllr Engert asked for further clarification on the details of proposed feasibility study on expanding Muswell Hill Primary School and the possible funding envelope for expansion. It was noted that the density of housing around the site and the age of the current building were areas of concern. The Head of Education Services responded that the feasibility of all three proposed sites would be set out in the subsequent report to Cabinet in July. Cllr Newton sought assurances that weighting would be given to Haringey residents for school places, particularly given the proximity of the Borough boundary to Coldfall Primary. The Head of Education Services responded that it was illegal to discriminate against parents and children from outside the borough. The Chair noted that the annual School Place Planning Report, setting out how the Council would meet the rising demand for primary reception places, would be also produced for July.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet Member: 

I). Approved the undertaking of further feasibility work at:

• Coldfall Primary -  to determine whether it is possible to physically expand the school from 3 to 5 forms of entry
• Muswell Hill - to determine whether it is possible to physically expand the school from 2 to 3 or 4 forms of entry
• St James – to determine whether it is possible to expand the school from 1 to 2 forms of entry within a prescribed budget; and

II). Agreed a further report be delivered in July, setting out where it is proposed that additional places could be delivered.

The report will seek Cabinet Member Approval for the proposed Admissions Arrangements for the academic year 2016/17. The Cabinet Member will also be asked to agree the In-Year Fair Access Protocol. The local authority is the admissions body for community schools and voluntary controlled schools. Admission arrangements must be determined by 15 April each year.

Admission arrangements are proposed and determined by admission authorities. The local authority is the admission authority for community schools and voluntary controlled schools. Admission arrangements must be determined annually by 15 April each year.

A report was provided seeking Cabinet Member approval for the Admission Arrangements for 2016/17 which included:

·         Admission arrangements for entry to school in the academic year 2016/17 for Haringey’s community and voluntary controlled Nursery, Infant, Junior, Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form schools.

·         Admission arrangements for in-year applications to community schools in Haringey 2016/17.

·         Haringey’s In-Year Fair Access Protocol.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet Member: 

I). Approved the proposed Admission Arrangements for 2016/17; and

II). Approved the proposed In Year Fair Access protocol, that will come into force from 20^th April 2015. 

To consider any new items of urgent business admitted under Item 1 above.

None.