Primary School Admissions Meeting 21 November 2014

Programme Welcome & Introductions10:00am Context10:10am In-Year Admissions 10:30am Nursery Admissions Process11:00am Admission of Looked After Children11:15am Open Session / Questions11:30am Close12:00 noon

OffersStaffordshireEngland 1 st preference92.4%87.7% 1 of 3 preferences98%95.7% Online Apps79%None reported Primary Preference Statistics Reception – additional places added over PAN in order to ensure that all children received an offer within a reasonable distance of home address

Type of Primary Admitting Authorities Type of School Who is the admitting authority? Who deals with complaints about arrangements? Who is responsible for arranging appeal? Number Operating Within Staffs as at 1/10/14 AcademiesAcademy Trust Schools Adjudicator Academy Trust 33 Community / Voluntary Controlled Local Authority Schools Adjudicator Local Authority194 Foundation / Voluntary Aided Governing Body Schools Adjudicator Governing Body 68

Legislative Background School Standards and Framework Act 1998 School Admissions Code 2012 (due to be updated Dec 14) School Admission Appeals Code School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Coordination of Admission Arrangements)(England) Regulations 2012 The School Admissions (Infant Class Sizes)(England) Regulations 2012 The School Admissions (Appeals)(England) Regulations 2012; and The School Information (England) Regulations 2008

Revised Admissions Code - Dec 2014 Due on 19 December, changes can be implemented in 2016/17 providing consultation takes place, Key changes to include extension of pupil premium or service premium criterion Nursery to Reception oversubscription criterion for EY pupil premium and service premium children Revised admissions timetable, consultation over 6 weeks, arrangements to be determined by 15 March Clarify admission of summer born children

Individual Admission Authorities - responsibilities Individual admission authorities must ensure that own admissions arrangements comply with Code, this involves ensuring that criteria and practices are fair, clear and objective and that parents can look at arrangements and understand easily how places at that school are allocated; determining admission arrangements on an annual basis; Where no change consult at least every 7 years on proposed admission arrangements; Considering in-year applications for school places and where refuse, provide reasons and right of appeal;

Local Authority - responsibilities coordinate admission arrangements for its children i.e. enable parents to apply for school places and make final offer of school place on nationally determined date; publish composite prospectus; draw up and operate a Fair Access Protocol, including issuing directions where necessary; report annually to the Office of Schools Adjudicator (OSA) on relevant school admissions matters; refer cases of non-compliance to OSA.

School Issues with In Year Admissions

In-Year Admissions Pressure on available places in certain areas of County Increased number of permitted exceptions to infant class size legislation Increased number of “own admitting authorities” – nearly 36% primary schools Examples of maladministration Use of Fair Access Protocol

Examples of Maladministration Not allowing parents to make a formal application for school place i.e. verbally advising that no places and recommending placement elsewhere Not advising parents of their right of appeal or of how to exercise this right Failing to advise LA of refusal /offer of school place. I refer to your recent application for a place for Bobby Brown in Year 1. On behalf of the Admissions Authority I regret to inform you that it is not able to offer a place as you do not reside in our catchment area. I should advise you that you do have the right to appeal against this decision to an Independent Appeals Panel.

Implementation of Fair Access Protocol Fair Access Protocol stipulates that all schools should take fair share of pupils (both with challenging behaviour and otherwise) – whether full or not, whether appeals previously heard / waiting lists operate Protocol used very few and far between in Staffordshire due to the partnership that exists and excellent work within schools to accommodate children complying with parental preference wherever possible Secondary colleagues operate District Inclusion Partnerships very effectively and in their absence at Primary School level some very difficult decision are taken at officer level in relation to which local school should be required to admit a child without a school place

Nursery Admissions Process What are the issues for schools? Are the admission arrangements for maintained schools regarding point of entry still appropriate? Admissions process coordinated through LA, any need? Could schools handle process? What could we do to assist?

Admission of Looked After Children Presentation by Sarah Rivers, Virtual Headteacher

Open Session / Questions?