Agenda item

This report seeks approval for proposed admissions policies and admissions numbers in community and voluntary controlled schools and for co-ordinated admissions schemes in the City of York area, with regard to the school year beginning in September 2019.

Note: Annexes H-X to this report have not been included in the printed agenda papers but are available to view with the published agenda on the website.

Resolved:                     That the item be referred to the Executive meeting taking place on 08 February 2018.

Reason:                        In order to account for the fact that minor changes to the admission arrangements have been made in recent years and that, therefore, it is important that the Executive are made aware of the current policies and the changes proposed for the next admissions round.

The Executive Member considered a report which sought approval for proposed admissions policies and admissions numbers in community and voluntary controlled schools as well as for co-ordinated admissions schemes in the City of York area, with regard to the school year beginning in September 2019.

The Corporate Director of Children, Education and Communities and the School Services Manager (Policy and Strategy) were in attendance to outline the report and answer potential questions. It was clarified that the proposed changes to the policies were minor and in accordance with current law and practice. It was also added that there were no major changes in the published admission numbers (PANs), except for Osbaldwick Primary School, where, if approved, the numbers would decrease from 60 to 45 in order to help the school with more appropriate class organisation and use of resources. It was explained that, should the demand in the local area increase, the school would revert its admission numbers back to its current state. It was also highlighted that the number of siblings who had not been admitted to the same school was low (n = 6 in 2017) and that additional guidance to parents had been produced on that matter. Finally, it was stated that there were no statutory objections made to any of the arrangements highlighted in the report.

The Executive Member thanked the Officers for their detailed, succinct and easy to understand report. It was acknowledged that, although the amendments in the report were minor, it was important that the Executive was made aware of the current policy and that it made the decision in relation to these changes. The Executive Member added that this was not to set a precedent and that future reports could be taken at the Executive Member Decision Sessions. It was, therefore,

Resolved:                     That the item be referred to the Executive meeting taking place on 08 February 2018.

Reason:                        In order to account for the fact that minor changes to the admission arrangements have been made in recent years and that, therefore, it is important that the Executive are made aware of the current policies and the changes proposed for the next admissions round.