Agenda item

(Report by Mr M Whiting, Cabinet Member for Education, Learning and Skills and Mr P Leeson, Corporate Director for Education, Learning and Skills)

(Mr S Bagshaw, Head of Fair Access, was present for this item)

1.          The Cabinet Committee considered a report which gave the outcomes of the consultation on the proposed admission arrangements and scheme for transfer to Primary and Secondary schools in September 2014 and the proposed process for non coordination In-Year Admissions.

2.          Mr Bagshaw noted the comments and responded to questions by Members which included the following:

a)    Mr Bagshaw advised that the local authority was the admissions authority for community and voluntary controlled schools only.  All other school where they are their own admissions authority ie foundation schools academies and free schools would carry out their own consultation and then determine their arrangements.

b)    Mr Bagshaw clarified that there were two parts to making the admission arrangements; 1. To set our admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools and 2. As a coordinating authority, KCC was required to coordinate arrangements to the normal point of entry for all schools that are located in Kent other than independent fee paying schools.

c)     Mr Leeson confirmed that there was an error in the papers; referring to Appendix D, page 117 of the report, Members noted that Walmer Science College was not awaiting an academy order.

d)    Mr Bagshaw advised that the admissions authority set the priority if a primary and junior school were linked.

e)    Mr Bagshaw confirmed that it was lawful for schools to have catchment areas.  The setting of a catchment area would be based on the schools locality and the pattern of its intake.

f)      Mr Bagshaw gave an assurance that information regarding school transport would be given to schools to share with parents who are looking a different school options.

g)    Mr Bagshaw explained the local authority relied on the schools to check that the information given by parents regarding their address at the time when they were applying for school places was correct.  If there was any evidence that this was incomplete or incorrect the school would investigate and the local authority would support them in doing this.

3.          RESOLVED that:-

a)    the responses to comments and questions by Members be noted; and

b)    the Education Cabinet Committee endorses the decision to be taken by theCabinet Member for Education, Learning and Skills to determine the following:

                           i.     The Coordinated Primary Admissions Scheme 2014/15 incorporating the In Year admissions process as detailed in Appendix A;

                          ii.     The Co-ordinated Secondary Admissions Scheme 2014/15 incorporating the In Year admissions process as detailed in Appendix B;

                        iii.     The oversubscription criteria relating to Community and Voluntary Controlled Infant, Junior and Primary schools in Kent 2014/15 as detailed in Appendix C (1);

                        iv.     The oversubscription criteria relating to Community and Voluntary controlled Secondary schools in Kent 2014/15 as detailed in Appendix D (1);

                         v.     The Published Admissions Number for Community and Voluntary Controlled Infant, Junior and Primary Schools 2014/15 as set out in Appendix C (2);

                        vi.     The Published Admissions Number for Community and Voluntary Controlled Secondary Schools 2014/15 as set out in Appendix D (2), and

                       vii.     The relevant statutory consultation areas for Kent Primary Schools 2014/15 as detailed in Appendix C (3) and the relevant statutory consultation areas for Kent Secondary Schools 2014/15 as set out in Appendix D (3).