Decision details

Proposed decision:

To determine the primary and secondary school co-ordinated admissions schemes for 2023 intake year and the admission arrangements for Kent community and voluntary controlled primary schools and the admission arrangements for Kent community and voluntary controlled secondary schools for 2023 intake year.

Background:

Admission authorities are legally required to determine admissions arrangements for their schools by 28 February each year, even if no changes are proposed. It is intended that admissions arrangements for schools where KCC is the admissions authority are to remain unchanged.

Local Authorities are also required to determine an Admissions scheme for schools within their geographical boundaries, which details how the co-ordinated and in year admissions processes will operate for the forthcoming year. No changes are proposed to the Admissions scheme for the 2023 intake year, so it was not necessary to consult on the scheme this year either.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is therefore requested to approve the proposed admission arrangements and scheme.

Legal Implications:

Section 13A of the Education Act 1996 states every admission authority must, before the beginning of each school year determine the admission arrangements which are to apply for that year 7. Local authorities are required by Section 92 of the School Standards and Framework Act and the Education (School Information) (England) Regulations 2008 to publish admission arrangements for all maintained schools in their area. Under section 88(1A) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (as inserted by section 42 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006) it is the duty of a governing body of a community or voluntary controlled school, for which a local authority is the admissions authority, to implement any decision relating to the admission of pupils taken by the admission authority. Similarly, under section 89(3A) of the 1998 Act and regulations, the governing body of a voluntary aided or foundation school must implement a decision of the local authority, made under the relevant co-ordinated admission arrangements, whether a child should be granted or refused admission to the school. Failure to do so would amount to a breach of the admission authority’s statutory duty.

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills,I determine:

a)    The Coordinated Primary Admissions Scheme 2023/24 incorporating the In Year admissions process and relevant statutory consultation areas for Kent Infant, Junior and Primary Schools as detailed in Appendix A

b)      The Co-ordinated Secondary Admissions Scheme 2023/24 incorporating the In Year admissions process and relevant statutory consultation areas for Kent Secondary Schools as detailed in Appendix B

c)      The oversubscription criteria and Published Admissions Number relating to Community and Voluntary Controlled Infant, Junior and Primary Schools in Kent 2023/24 as detailed in Appendix C

d)      The oversubscription criteria and Published Admissions Number relating to Community and Voluntary Controlled Secondary Schools in Kent 2023/24 as detailed in Appendix D