Minutes:
Early Years Admissions
Piers asked the Forum for their views in relation to Early Years admissions. David Babb stated that it was usual for Local Authorities to set the criteria for its own maintained nurseries, but for the schools to administer the admission arrangements. Academies could set their own admission arrangements.
Patricia Cuss informed that Ambleside Centre had concerns over the current timeframe of their admissions arrangements. Ambleside felt disadvantaged in relation to other Early Years providers in that they were only able to offer places to parents in February. They expressed the intention to write their own admissions policy.
Patricia stated that it was becoming increasingly difficult to offer places in Hare Hatch, she believed that other providers were facing the same difficulties. She had not started considering the offer of 30 hours a week as there were uncertainties around the funding for the additional hours. Patricia stated that it was difficult to plan without knowing exactly what funding would be available.
Piers Brunning recognised that there issues around the funding arrangements for the extra 15 hours a week of childcare. Piers stated that he would undertake further investigations before formulating a proposal to be submitted to Executive.
David Babb clarified that the Early Years policy did not follow the same timescales as the primary and secondary schools policies, so there was time to investigate further.
Timing of entry to primary education
Sue Runciman raised the issue of loss of funding where parents take up a place at a school but decide to defer it until the child reaches compulsory school age.
Piers stated that Wokingham Borough Council’s policy had to adhere to the national guidelines; therefore it was not possible to change this parental right.
David Babb stated that this issue was raised with DfE and it was expected that the new code would address it.
Waiting lists
Sue Runciman felt that the wording needed to made clearer for parents to understand that they would have to apply every year to keep their child’s name on the waiting list. Piers would look at strengthening the wording around waiting lists.
Net capacity
Celia Thatcher stated that the net capacity number for Grazeley CE Primary needed updating and Piers agreed to change it.
Piers explained that the net capacity for maintained schools had to be measured in a certain prescribed way and explained how the calculations were made.
Consultation
Sue Runciman informed that she wished to propose changes to the admissions criteria for Shinfield St Mary’s Junior School to remove the church category. However, she had missed the deadline for this year’s consultation period. It was her intention to put forward the proposal for this amendment, with the support of the governors of the school.
David Babb stated that the Church of England Diocese recommended that schools should not have a church criterion in their school admissions policies. However, it was up to schools to decide. David informed that initially church schools had been set up to offer education to the poor in the community. David pointed out that the Catholic Diocese held a different view on this.
Reports to Forum
Members asked that papers be circulated in more advance to allow time for reading and preparation for the meeting.