Agenda item

To receive and consider a report on the consultations relating to the following schools:

·         All Saint’s CE Aided Primary School

·         St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School

·         Evendons Primary School

The Forum received and considered the proposed admission arrangements for voluntary aided schools and academies report which was set out on pages 9-46 of the Agenda. 

Sue Riddick, Lead Admissions Officer presented the report and went through the schools’ consultation proposals as described below.

All Saint’s CE Aided Primary School

The school had been advised by the Diocese to consult on an amendment to criterion ii and clarification relating to all other admissions on page 4 and the waiting list in particular, together with clarification to the wording relating to the two places per year group for children attending the resource with complex needs.  Sue explained that the changes were not substantial.  The consultation had opened on 16 November 2015 and would close on 15 January 2016.

St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School

The school proposed to reduce the number of criterions from 11 to 10 by merging categories 3 and 4. This would make it fairer when offering places to practicing Catholics allowing offers to be made to those who were nearer to the school.  The Diocese had also suggested changes to the practicing criteria and removed the need for the clarification on regular or irregular attendance, making the definition broader than before.

Members questioned the legality of placing ‘Non-Catholic Looked After Children or Previously Looked After Children in the care of the Local Authority’ lower down in the list of criteria.  Sue explained that religious schools were exempt under the Code and were permitted to consider looked after and previously looked after of the faith ahead of that of other faith criteria and then to have non-faith looked after and previously looked after children ahead of other criteria.

The consultation had opened on 4 November 2015 and would close on 16 December 2015.

Evendons Primary School 

The school was consulting on the removal of criterion C relating to priority for children of a member of the Founder’s team.  This was no longer necessary as all members of the Founder’s team had obtained a place for their children at the school.  The school had also changed wording to that used by Wokingham Borough Council in its 2016/17 policy.  Minor changes were proposed to clarify the administration of applications, waiting lists and appeal arrangements.  Members noted that the admission number for Evendons was 50; Sue stated that this was due to the size of classrooms.  The consultation had opened on 12 November 2015 and would close on 31 December 2015.

Sue stated that Oakbank was considering changes that would require consultation and it was their intention to start the process sometime in the future.

Members were informed that Earley St Peter’s CE Aided Primary School and St Dominic Savio Catholic Primary School would not be consulting on any changes to their policies.

PhialaMehring tabled a paper containing the draft proposal consultation on changes to admission from 2017 relating to the Forest Academy.  The proposed changes were:

1)     To embed year 11 exam results into the application process for the sixth form (listed in appendix B of the documentation)

Phiala explained that this change would make the application process for sixth form clearer and easier to understand. It was important that parents understood that there were a minimum number of pupils required to enable the school to run any given course. Phiala stated that the school had received guidance from Sue to draw up the proposal.

2)     To increase the admissions number for years 7 to 9 from 200 to 210

Phiala pointed out that the admission number of 200 was historical, however in view of the financial constraints that were predicted in the coming years, it would be financially beneficial to increase the admission number to 210.

3)     Altering the school’s catchment

The school proposed to extend its designated area so that any child in the Borough would be accepted to the school.  The following points were made during the discussion of this point:

·           Sue pointed out that the tie breaker was a substantial change which needed to be consulted upon and explained what this meant in practice;

·           Sue pointed out that where exceptional medical or social needs was mentioned in the tie breaker, it was necessary to make it clear if this was relating to the children or the family;

·           Sue suggested that the school notify the Holt in particular of the proposed changes as the admission arrangements to both schools in the past had been linked. Phiala stated that as a courtesy the Holt would be informed of the proposals;

·           Sue stated that the school should be aware that there would potentially be some sensitivity with Reading and Bracknell relating to the proposed change in designated area.

Phiala welcomed Sue’s input and informed that she would recommend the amendments to the school.  Phiala asked for Sue’s help to ensure the school was making the changes correctly.

RESOLVED That:  The report be noted.