To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Central Bedfordshire Admissions Forum held on 25 June 2012 (copy attached) and to note any actions taken since that meeting.

Matters Arising – Future of the Admissions Forum

Further to minute CBAF/12/6 discussion took place on the outcome of the investigation and consultation on the future of the Forum.  In response to a query the Admissions Manager reported that only three members of the Forum had responded to the letter sent by the Head of School Organisation, Admissions and capital Planning setting out the nature of the discussion on the Forum’s future and seeking views on the way forward.  All three respondees had stated that they favoured the continuation of the Forum. 

A Member suggested that, as a compromise way forward, meetings of the Forum be called on an ‘as and when’ basis.

It was suggested that schools be contacted to establish their views and whether they wish to nominate representatives to the Forum.  In response the Admissions Manager explained that, before doing so, it would be necessary to revise the Forum’s Terms of Reference to reflect the change in its status and role and the increasing ‘academisation’ of schools in Central Bedfordshire.  In connection with this matter the Committee Services Officer stated that the term of office for some members of the Forum had actually finished earlier in the autumn but that until the Terms of Reference were revised, and the role of representatives clarified, it would not be possible to take action to appoint their successors.

The meeting considered the viability of the Forum with debate focusing on its purpose and value and the alternatives available.  The Admissions Manager explained the Forum was no longer a statutory body and, apart from facilitating discussion between its members and providing an additional means by which information could be circulated, it had no other role.  She added that information was already disseminated to interested parties through other means such as ‘Central Essentials’.

Consideration turned next to the decision at the last Forum meeting to contact those local authorities which had retained their admissions forums to establish why they had done so and what matters were considered at their meetings.  The Admissions Manager reported that Luton Borough, Hertfordshire County and Cambridgeshire County Councils had retained forums but that Bedford Borough Council had not.  Attendance at the Luton and Hertfordshire forums was known to be good and the issues discussed reflected those that used to appear on agendas for Central Bedfordshire Admissions Forum meetings.  A Member commented that Hertfordshire was still responsible for the majority of its schools and this could, therefore, have an impact on whether the role of its Admissions Forum was regarded locally as having value.  In response to a query the Admissions Manager stated that the types of issues appearing on the sample agendas of other council’s forums were those that used to be considered by this Authority’s Admissions Forum.

A Member then referred to changes in admissions practices being adopted by different schools in Dunstable and queried how the Council was dealing with the matters raised.  In explanation the Admissions Manager stated that the schools concerned were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive an oral update on the consultation on proposed changes to the Schools Admission Arrangements which would have effect from 2014/15 (note: copies of the consultation document and FAQ sheet are attached).

The Admissions Manager introduced the consultation document on the proposed changes to the admission arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools from 2014/15.  A copy of the consultation document and the accompanying Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document had been circulated with the agenda.  The meeting noted the consultation period would last between 12 November 2012 to 21 January 2013.

The Admissions Manager drew Members’ attention to the criteria that would determine applications when schools were oversubscribed.  One such criterion would see the removal of defined catchment areas and the introduction of the measurement of the straight line distance from the school site to the pupil’s home address to determine which children lived nearest to the school and therefore received priority.

The Admissions Manager stated that copies of the consultation and FAQs documents had been circulated to all schools, teachers, parents and carers, diocese and neighbouring local authorities.  Posters advertising the consultation had been placed in public spaces such as supermarkets and community centres and press releases issued.  The documents were also available on line.  The aim would be to obtain as wider range of viewpoints as possible.  The Admissions Manager stated that 12 responses had been received to date.

Consideration turned to the proposed adoption of the straight line distance criterion.  In response to a query by the Chairman on the possibility of a ‘cross border’ impact as a result of adopting this criterion the Admissions Manager acknowledged that a child resident across the border in another local authority could be awarded priority.  Other Members expressed concern at this outcome and also referred to examples where local children within Central Bedfordshire could be disadvantaged.

A Member sought clarification regarding the admission of Service children to a school which had reached its published admission number (PAN).  She queried if the school could exceed its PAN rather than the Council provide transport for the children to take them to a school which had not yet reached this figure.  In response the Admissions Manager explained that Service children could be admitted to the catchment school where they were next on the waiting list and the school could accommodate them.  The set infant class size ratio of 30 children to one teacher did not apply for children of Service families as those children were regarded as an exception under the infant class size regulations.

The Admissions Manager offered to send Members an example of the straight line distance criterion in operation, which had been produced by the Council’s GIS team, if they wished to see this for their school.

A Member referred to the major impact of recent and forthcoming changes to school admissions in Dunstable and Houghton Regis which she felt to be the driver behind the proposed open admissions system for schools throughout Central Bedfordshire.  She queried whether adopting an admissions policy solely for those towns would be more suitable.  In response the Admissions Manager stated that, as an example, parents living in Houghton Regis applied for their children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To agree the date of the next meeting of the Admissions Forum.

RESOLVED

1          that the next meeting of the Central Bedfordshire Admissions Forum be held during the last two weeks of March 2013 at a date and time to be agreed following consultation with Members of the Forum;

2          that consideration be given to starting the above meeting at 8.30 a.m. to assist those Members whose commitments prevent attendance at a later time of day.