Issue details

23/00005 - Admission Arrangements and Scheme for 2024-25 Academic Year

Proposed decision

 

To determine the primary and secondary school co-ordinated admissions schemes for 2024 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 2024 intake year.

 

Reason for the decision

 

Admission authorities are legally required to determine admissions arrangements for their schools by 28 February each year. It is intended that admissions arrangements for schools where KCC is the admissions authority are to remain broadly unchanged. It is proposed, however, to reduce the Published Admissions Number for West Minster Primary School (from 90 to 60) and Churchill CoE Primary School (from 60 to 30) which is detailed in the consultation documentation available through the link detailed below. The consultation is due to run until 2nd January 2023.

 

Local Authorities are also required to consult with all schools within their geographical boundaries on an Admissions Scheme, which details how the co-ordinated and in year admissions processes will operate for the forthcoming year. This consultation is due to run until 15th December 2022.

 

Following the completion of both consultations, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is 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.          

 

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Division affected: (All Division);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 10/01/2023

Decision due: Not before 9th Feb 2023 by Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

Lead director: Christine McInnes

Department: Education & Young People's Services

Contact: Craig Chapman, Head of Fair Access Telephone number 03000 415934 Email: craig.chapman@kent.gov.uk.

Consultees

This decision was considered at the meeting of the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 17January 2023.

Financial implications: Following the outcomes of the consultation there may be changes to school provision in identified areas in order to fulfil the intent of the admissions schemes and arrangements. The costs to this provision will be identified in the subsequent reports that will be considered by Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee where necessary. There is an annual cost for the provision of Kent test materials in the region of £150-200k in line with provider contracts, which in turn are finalised through competitive tender in conjunction with Commissioning colleagues.

Equalities implications: The Cabinet Member will consider the EqIA as part of the decision making process

Decisions

Documents