To approve the composite prospectus for the admission/transfer of pupils into Primary and High Schools.

The Forum discussed the composite prospectus ‘Information for Parents 2006/07’ for the admission and transfer of pupils into primary and high school.

The Admissions and Transport Manager informed the Forum of various changes which had taken place since the previous edition.  The most significant of these changes related to denominational transport and the over-subscription criteria employed by the Council for community and voluntary controlled schools which had been amended to include pupils who received banded funding and those pupils who had been adopted. 

The Forum was also informed of other minor editorial changes and Forum Members suggested a number of further minor changes in addition to the changes highlighted by the Admissions and Transport Manager.

The Church School Headteacher representative stated that the revised denominational transport policy had implications for the admissions policy for the Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School and called for the introduction of the new policy to be delayed until 2007.

The Forum was advised that the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee had called-in Cabinet’s decision on the new denominational transport policy, halting the decisions implementation.  The Scrutiny Committee was due to meet soon to consider the matter.  Cabinet would then meet to consider any recommendations from the Scrutiny Committee and whether it wished to modify its original decision.

The Cabinet Member (Children’s Services) informed the Forum that the policy on denominational transport had been reviewed and revised as it had become apparent that the Council was at risk of legal challenge.  If the implementation of the new policy was delayed for another year the Council would remain vulnerable.  That was why the Council wanted to introduce the new policy as soon as possible.

The Head of Policy and Resources stated that he was happy to amend the ‘Information for Parents Booklet 2006/07’ in light of the final decision of Cabinet.

The Catholic Church representative commented that if Cabinet did decide to implement the new policy on denominational transport for the 2006 admission round, then the information within the booklet was inadequate.  She felt that the booklet needed to contain information on:

·         How to apply for denominational transport

·         Low income criteria for subsidised denominational transport

·         Timescales to apply for denominational transport

The Chairman suggested that, in order to resolve the wording concerning denominational transport, the Forum should meet once the final decision of Cabinet had been made.

The Forum then discussed the admissions policy for the Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School.

A view was expressed that priority 3 of the Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School admissions policy was in breach of section 4.14 of the School Admissions Code of Practice as the definition of a Christian Church was not explicit.  Parents did not therefore have all the required information to make an application as required by the guidance.

The Church School Headteacher representative stated that if the parents of a child were active worshippers then they would be aware of which Christian groups were eligible under the schools admissions policy.  He also commented that he felt it was inappropriate to publish an evolving list as part of the schools admissions policy.

The Head of Policy and Resources suggested that an addition be made to the schools admissions policy stating that an up-to-date list of all eligible Christian groups was available from the school on request.

The Forum then discussed the admissions policy for St. Mary’s RC High School.

A view was expressed that points 6,7 and 11 of the school’s admissions policy were in breach of section 3.12 of the School Admissions Code of Practice as they could disproportionately disadvantage families who had recently moved into the area especially those who were ethnic minorities, travellers or refugees.

The Head of Policy and Resources reported to the Forum that the admissions policy was not satisfactory in the long term.  He had written to the Governors of the school regarding their admissions policy and had been informed that they were minded to modify their policy.  He informed the Forum that ethnic diversity at the school was in line with the average for the County’s high schools.

It was proposed that the LEA should consult with the Diocesan Education Authority regarding the admissions policy of St. Mary’s RC High School.

RESOLVED:

That   (a) the consideration of the ‘Information for Parents 2006/07’ booklet be deferred until the next meeting of the Local Admissions Forum;

(b) the admissions policy for the Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School be amended to include a sentence informing parents that a list of eligible Church groups was available from the school;

and

(c) the LEA consult with the Diocesan Education Authority regarding the admissions policy of St. Mary’s RC High School.