Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Children's Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, 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 2024/25, including proposals to reduce the published admission number (PAN) for several primary schools can go out for consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, and Families introduced the report which sought agreement of 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 2024/25, including proposals to reduce the published admission number (PAN) for several primary schools can go out for consultation.

This was an annual report on the proposed admission arrangements for schools. It was explained that all schools were required to have admission arrangements and that these were proposed and determined by admission authorities; the local authority was the admission authority for the borough’s

community and voluntary controlled (VC) schools. The Cabinet Member commented that the local authority published a co-ordinated scheme to ensure a smooth transition and to ensure that all pupils were offered a place; it was added that most people got their first or second choice school.

It was explained that the central government funding received by a school was based on the number of children registered which meant that lower pupil numbers affected a school’s ability to retain staff and maintain high standards of teaching and learning. It was highlighted that the Council had a responsibility to make sure that school places were organised in a way that helped all schools to maintain high standards. To assist schools that had been significantly impacted by the impact of lower pupil numbers, reductions in numbers were proposed as set out in the report.

It was noted that the purpose of the report was to seek Cabinet approval to commence the six week statutory consultation period in relation to the proposals.

In response to questions from Cabinet Members, the following information was provided:

-       It was confirmed that there was a trend in the borough that the numbers of children were declining in the east but remaining relatively stable in the west. It was noted that this put additional pressure on the schools located in the east of the borough.

In response to questions from Cllr Connor, the following information was provided:

-       There was a suggestion that some of the schools with proposed reductions in pupil numbers, as set out in the report, had not been consulted. The Cabinet Member understood that all of the named schools had been consulted and stated that she would investigate this

-       It was clarified that the proposals related to 2024-25 only at this stage. The Cabinet Member stated that the Council was not looking to close or amalgamate any schools. It was acknowledged that pupil numbers were challenging but highlighted that the Council was looking to support schools through these developments.

-       It was noted that the financial resilience of schools was a significant factor in the proposals to reduce pupil numbers. It was added that the levels of funding for schools were set by central government.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree to consult on the proposed admission arrangements, including the coordinated schemes for admission of children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79