Issue - meetings

That the Wokingham Borough School Admissions arrangements for the 2022/23 School Year should be unchanged from those in force for the 2021/22 School Year.

The Executive considered a report relating to Wokingham Borough’s School Admissions arrangements for the 2022/2023 School Year.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services informed the meeting that the secondary admissions process for entry into Wokingham secondary schools for the 2021/22 school year has been completed and reported that due to a large cohort, and increased numbers of Hong Kong nationals relocating to the area under the British Nationals Overseas Visa arrangements, the number of families receiving one of their four preferences was 93.51% which compared favourably to national and regional performance but was slightly down on the Council’s performance last year, which was 94.64%.  Members noted that by national offer day the Council had offered 2,320 places which was a higher number than the 2,157 places allocated at the same time last year.  Councillor Clark advised that work would continue on late applications and any in-year applications to ensure that all children had a secondary school place. 

Councillor Clark reported that the admissions process for primary phase education was due to conclude shortly.  In addition, the Council was working to ensure that arrangements for supporting school admissions were reviewed and therefore a School Admissions Task and Finish Group, made up of elected Members, Officers and school leaders had been set up as part of the Schools’ Forum arrangement.  This body would explore how effective the local admission arrangements were, consider how to deal with difficult admission issues and advise admission authorities on ways their admission arrangements could be improved. 

Following a query by the Leader of Council Councillor Clark confirmed that the Council had no authority or influence over Academies’ admissions criteria and its role was limited to implementing the agreed criteria.

RECOMMENDATION:  That the Wokingham Borough School Admissions arrangements for the 2022/23 School Year should be unchanged from those in force for the 2021/22 School Year.