Issue details

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.