Issue - meetings

To receive an update on School Admissions Task and Finish Group.

Sal Thirlway apologised that the report in the agenda was the report presented to the October meeting of Schools Forum rather than the most up to date report.  He offered to circulate the updated report with the minutes.

Sal Thirlway stated that the Task and Finish Group had met twice since October.  At the April meeting the group focused on the Fair Access Protocol, feedback received and the forward plan for the group.

The group met again in July with the intention to sign off the Fair Access Protocol.  However, it was decided to delay this to take into account the new School Admissions Code which comes into effect on 1 September 2021.  Discussions were had about how to improve the management of waiting lists, and how schools can manage their own waiting lists.  Conversations were also had about the secondary strategy consultation.  Due to the imminent end of term, this consultation would take place in the Autumn term.

Sal Thirlway stated that it was important to prepare for possible bulges in the future and involve schools in the planning to prepare for them.

The group was also alerted to a Post-16 consultation which was going to be launched in the Autumn term, in preparation for a Post-16 strategy review.

The group was going to review its Terms of Reference, including its title, in recognition of the fact that the group  was a substantive sub-group of Schools Forum and an ongoing entity, rather than a ‘task and finish’ group.  There was also going to be a review of the membership structure to ensure it had the right level of involvement.

Brian Prebble had been elected chairman of the group.

During the discussion of the item the following comments were made:

·           Ginny Rhodes believed that significant additional provision was needed for secondary school places for September 2022.  She stated that it was important for schools to understand the strategy in order to prepare their marketing campaigns and open days.  She stated that open days would start in September 2021 and she was seeking to understand the planning arrangements and decision making for secondary school places for September 2022.  She was concerned that previously, schools had been approached about additional places for September 2021 very late in the application process, and there had been a commitment to not be in this position again;

·           Sal Thirlway stated that conversations with schools about potential additional places would start much earlier this year, he anticipated to start discussions in September.  He stated that it was difficult to be precise on estimates so early in the year;

·           Ginny Rhodes was concerned that September was too late as parents would not know if there would be additional tutor groups or not;

·           Sal Thirlway affirmed that he would endeavour to expedite the process;

·           In response to a question, it was confirmed that the responses to questions raised by Amanda Woodfin at the last meeting had been circulated via email.  It was agreed to re-circulate this information to members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55