Issue - meetings

[Report of the Assistant Director for Schools and Learning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families.]

To agree the proposed arrangements for admission to community nursery classes, primary, junior and secondary schools and to St Aidan’s Voluntary Controlled School and for sixth form admission for the year 2020/21 can go out for consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families introduced this report which sought approval to commence a six week period of statutory consultation on proposed admission arrangements for 2020/21.The Cabinet Member clarified that paragraph 4.5 required a correction of ‘60’ to ‘30’ when describing the number of places available at Tiverton. Also at paragraph 7.14, points 3 and 4, the Cabinet noted that this should read 2019 instead of 2018.

In response to a question from Cllr Brabazon, about the reduction on planned admission numbers in Tiverton and Welbourne schools, and if this was connected with a reduction in family housing in the area, it was noted that , generally, primary school numbers have been falling in Haringey and London. This PAN reduction was at the proposal stage but if there was a future increase in housing then consideration could be given to increasing the PAN for these two schools. The impact of housing development on local areas was a longer term consideration but it was important to take the steps now and consider this issue. The Cabinet Member was happy to convene an internal meeting to explore this.

RESOLVED

1. To agree to consult on the proposed admission arrangements, including the proposed in-year admissions scheme for the academic year 2020/21;

2. To agree to consult on the proposed IYFAP which, if agreed at Cabinet in February 2019, would be come into force from 1 March 2019;

3. To agree that the co-ordinated scheme for the admission of children to maintained primary and secondary schools as set out in Appendices 2 and 3 of this report can be published on the Haringey website on 1 January 2019.

4. To note the proposal to reduce the PAN for Welbourne and Tiverton Primary Schools by one form of entry (1FE) – 30 Reception pupils each from September 2020 as part of the community and voluntary controlled (VC) schools? published admission arrangements.

5. To note that consultation on the proposed admission arrangements is scheduled to take place between 26 November 2018 and 7 January 2019;

6. To note that following the consultation, a report will be prepared summarising the representations received from the consultation and a decision on the final admission arrangements and the In-Year Fair Access Protocol will be taken by Cabinet in February 2019.

Reasons for decision

Why do we consult?–

This report and the consultation that will flow from it if the report’s recommendations are agreed will ensure that our proposed admission arrangements for 2020/21 are consulted upon and the co-ordinated scheme is set in accordance with the mandatory provisions of the School Admissions Code 2014.

The School Admissions Code (2014) requires all admission authorities to publicly consult on their admission arrangements where changes are being proposed. The Code stipulates that if no changes are made to admission arrangements, they must be consulted on at least once every 7 years.

We consult on our admission arrangements annually irrespective of whether or not there is a proposed change to the arrangements. This is to ensure transparency  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14