NOTICE of MEETING School Admissions Forum Tuesday 8 December 2009, 6.00 Pm Function Room, Fifth Floor, Easthampstead House, Town Square, Bracknell

NOTICE OF MEETING School Admissions Forum Tuesday 8 December 2009, 6.00 pm Function Room, Fifth Floor, Easthampstead House, Town Square, Bracknell

To: School Admissions Forum

Schools (Community & Voluntary Controlled): Robert Elsey, Headteacher, Edgbarrow School Alan Harding, Headteacher, Birch Hill Primary School

Schools (Voluntary Aided):

Church of England Diocesan Board Gordon Anderson Representative: Roman Catholic Diocese Representative:

Parent Governor Representative:

Representatives of the Local Community: Olivia Denson, Chlidren's Education Advisory Service

Local Authority Representatives: Councillor Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Education & Libraries David Watkins, Chief Officer: Performance & Resources (Social Care & Learning)

ALISON SANDERS Director of Corporate Services

EMERGENCY EVACUATION INSTRUCTIONS

1 If you hear the alarm, leave the building immediately. 2 Follow the green signs. 3 Use the stairs not the lifts. 4 Do not re-enter the building until told to do so.

If you require further information, please contact: Liz Sanneh Telephone: (01344) 352233 Email: [email protected] Published: 1 December 2009

School Admissions Forum Tuesday 8 December 2009, 6.00 pm Function Room, Fifth Floor, Easthampstead House, Town Square, Bracknell AGENDA

Page No

1. Welcome and Apologies

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 1 - 2 May 2009.

3. Matters Arising

4. School Admission Appeals Report To receive a report on School Admission Appeals (papers to follow).

5. Annual Admissions Arrangements Consultation 2011/2012 3 - 48

6. School Admissions Forum Constitution To receive a report and recommendations on the School Admissions 49 - 58 Forum Constitution.

7. Special Educational Needs To receive a report 59 - 60

8. Looked After Children To receive a report on admission arrangements for looked after 61 - 62 children.

9. Dates of Future Meetings

Agenda Item 2

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS FORUM 05 MAY 2009 (5.30 - 6.25 pm)

Present: Councillor Kendall (Chairman) Alan Harding, Headteacher, Birch Hill Primary School Gordon Anderson, Church of England Diocese David Watkins, Chief Officer, Performance & Resources Lesley Adams, Pupil Services Team Leader Priya Patel, Democratic Services Officer

Apologies for absence were received from: Robert Elsey, Headteacher, Edgbarrow School Olivia Denson, Children’s Education Advisory Service

21. Welcome

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. The clerk reported that Stephen Litson would be standing down from the Forum and that Andrea Griffiths and Michael Gibbons would be leaving their posts and so would also be standing down from the Forum.

22. Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2008 were agreed as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

Minute 18, penultimate paragraph should refer to the School Admissions Appeals Code.

23. Updated School Admissions Forum Constitution

The Forum considered a report that sought approval to a revised constitution for the Forum reflecting the changes required by the new School Admissions Code published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families in February 2009.

The Forum asked that the clerk add two Local Authority representatives to the membership of the Forum as they hadn’t been included formally in the constitution and that the clerk write to the Head teachers Associations to seek members to fulfil existing vacancies. The clerk also agreed to write to ‘schools members’ to ask them to stand down from the membership of the Forum.

The clerk agreed to check the wording of paragraph 3.4 which referred to primary school children aged two. The Forum asked that once amendments to the constitution had been made, that the document be sent to the Chairman to be approved on behalf of the Forum.

The Forum agreed that they did not wish to submit an annual report to the Schools Adjudicator this year, but may do so in future years if they felt necessary. It was agreed that the template and the Local Authority’s Report would be circulated to all members of the Forum.

It was RESOLVED that the Forum;

1 i i) agreed the revised constitution attached as Appendix 1 to the agenda papers, subject to the amendments detailed above and subject to the Chairman approving the final version of the constitution,

ii) agreed that the clerk would write to the Headteacher Associations to seek members for the existing vacancies on the Forum. In addition the clerk would write to Schools members to advise them that they could stand down from the membership of the Forum.

24. Admissions Briefing Note

The Forum considered a report that informed them of both Primary and Secondary admissions processes for the current admission year. It was reported that it had been a difficult year and that pressures on school places had remained constant.

In terms of secondary school places, four of the Borough’s secondary schools were full and the fifth – Easthampstead Park was close to becoming full. It was the first year, that appeals had been received for the Brakenhale School, this reflected the good progress made by the school over the past few years.

In terms of primary schools, the deadline for appeals had not yet passed, however it was known that one hundred households in the Borough with primary school aged children had not made any application for a school place. This was despite the School Admissions team delivering presentations in a variety of settings including Children’s Centres and providing lots of information through nurseries. The School Admissions Team would continue to try and contact these families.

The Forum noted the report.

25. Date of Next Meeting

5 November 2009.

CHAIRMAN

ii 2 Agenda Item 5

SCHOOL ADMISSONS FORUM 8 December 2009

ADMISSIONS ARRANGEMENTS REPORT (Chief Officer: Performance & Resources)

1. PURPOSE OF DECISION 1.1. It is a requirement of the School Admissions Code that Local Authorities consult annually on their admission arrangements. Prior to going out to consultation the arrangements must be considered by the School Admissions Forum. The admissions arrangements have to include co-ordinated schemes for primary, secondary and in year applications. It must also include the Published Admissions Numbers for all schools. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1. The Forum should consider the effectiveness of the authority’s proposed co- ordinated admission arrangements. 2.2. The Forum must also promote the arrangements for children with special educational needs, children in care and children who have been excluded from school. 2.3. The Forum must monitor the effectiveness of the local authority Fair Access Protocol. 3. SUPPORTING INFORMATION 3.1. The details of the co-ordinated admission arrangements are attached at Appendix A – E. The key changes are highlighted in the body of this report. 3.2. A consultation (Appendix F) to change the designated area of the Jennetts Park area from The Brakenhale School to Easthampstead Park School and therefore set Jennetts Park School as a feeder school for Easthampstead Park School. 3.3. Summary of Changes to the Annual Admissions Arrangements 2011/12 3.4. Appendix A Co-ordinated Arrangements for Infant, Junior & Primary Schools 3.5. It is proposed that the Strong Social/ Strong Medical criteria be removed from the published admissions criteria for community and voluntary controlled schools within the borough. The School Admissions Code 2.29 states ‘that supporting information should set out why the school in question is the most suitable and the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend another school’. The difficulty in defining ‘most suitable’ has led to misinterpretation which leads to the Local Authority being vulnerable to challenge. This change is reflected in the new criteria published in Appendix A. 3.6. If there are more applicants than places within the same criteria a tie-breaker is used which is based on radial distance as defined in Appendix A. However if, in the event that two or more children live at the same distance from school (for example for families living in flats) and there are fewer places available then random allocation will be used to decide which child will be allocated the remaining place(s). The process will be drawn and scrutinised by people who are independent of the Council. This is reflected in the new criteria published in Appendix A. 3.7. Prior to 2011/12 applications for admission to primary school were made to the maintaining Local Authority (LA) however from 2011/12 parents must apply to their

3 home LA. This change to primary school admissions by the Department for Children Schools & Families via the School Admissions Code has been reflected here. 3.8. The School Admissions Code has also made it compulsory that primary admission booklets must be made available to parents from 12 September in the year prior to admission. 3.9. In order to process applications made to the home local authority but for schools in other local authorities, data for primary admissions must also now be exchanged electronically with these authorities. This must continue until the last working day of March prior to the admission. This is reflected in the offer date. 3.10. The DCSF is consulting on changing the age admissions authorities must admit children into school. They propose that admissions authorities for primary schools must provide for the admission of all children in the September following their fourth birthday. The results of their consultation will not be known until after the compulsory start date of this admissions arrangements consultation. 3.11. It has been suggested that there may be higher priority given to siblings within the admissions criteria. This would be a departure from the existing criteria which supports local schools for local children. We would welcome your comments on this. 3.12. Appendix B, Co-ordinated Arrangements for Secondary Schools 3.13. It is proposed that the Strong Social/ Strong Medical criteria be removed from the published admissions criteria for community and voluntary controlled schools within the borough. The School Admissions Code 2.29 states ‘that supporting information should set out why the school in question is the most suitable and the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend another school’. The difficulty in defining ‘most suitable’ has led to misinterpretation which leads to the Local Authority being vulnerable to challenge. This change is reflected in the new criteria published in Appendix B. 3.14. If there are more applicants than places within the same criteria a tie-breaker is used which is based on radial distance as defined in Appendix B. However if, in the event that two or more children live at the same distance from school (for example for families living in flats) and there are fewer places available then random allocation will be used to decide which child will be allocated the remaining place(s). The process will be drawn and scrutinised by people who are independent of the Council. This is reflected in the new criteria published in Appendix B. 3.15. Appendix C, Co-ordinated Arrangements for In-Year Admissions 3.16. Prior to 2010/11 ‘in-year’ applications for admission to school were made to the maintaining Local Authority (LA) as and when parents moved into the area. However from September 2010 parents must apply to their home LA for a school place and this information must then be shared electronically with the relevant admissions authority. This change by the Department for Children Schools & Families to ‘in-year’ admissions via the School Admissions Code has been reflected here. 3.17. If there are more applicants than places within the same criteria a tie-breaker is used which is based on radial distance as defined in Appendix C. However if, in the event that two or more children live at the same distance from school (for example for families living in flats) and there are fewer places available then random allocation will be used to decide which child will be allocated the remaining place(s). The process will be drawn and scrutinised by people who are

4 independent of the Council. This is reflected in the new criteria published in Appendix C. 3.18. Appendix D, Co-ordinated Arrangements for 6 th forms 3.19. There are no major changes to the 6 th form policy. 3.20. Appendix E, Co-ordinated Arrangements for Nursery Schools 3.21. There are no major changes to the nursery policy. 3.22. Appendix F, Consultation on change to Jennetts Park designated area 3.23. This will be in the main body of the consultation but residents of Jennetts Park will also be made aware of this consultation via the Diocese Newsletter being distributed December 2009. 4. ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS Borough Solicitor 4.1. The Borough Solicitor has advised broadly on the individual policies that make up the package of proposals in this report. In particular if lots are to be used it would be advantageous to set out the procedure to be followed; to have an independent observer and an independent person to make the draw. It would be harder for parents to argue about flaws, bias and prejudice in the system of appeal. Borough finance Officer 4.2. Advice sought but none given. Equalities Impact Assessment 4.3. Bracknell Forest Council has an inclusive education policy and children will not be discriminated against as laid down by the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, Race Relations Act 1976 and 2000, Human Rights Act 1998, Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 2005 and Equality Act 2006. Strategic Risk Management Issues 4.4. ISSUE RISK COMMENT If the annual admissions arrangements are not set The Local Authority could be reported the Local Authority would H to the Adjudicator for failure to comply be in breach of the School with the School Admissions Code. Admissions Code.

5. CONSULTATION 5.1. Background Papers 5.2. Appendix’s A – E. These arrangements will go out to public consultation as stated in the School Admissions Code. The consultation will run for 8 weeks starting 15 December 2009 until 9 February 2010. Appendix F will also be consulted upon. 5.3. Contact for further information

David Watkins Chief Officer: Performance & Resources 01344 354061 [email protected]

Lesley Adams Pupil Services Team Leader 01344 354143 [email protected]

5 This page is intentionally left blank

6 Appendix A

School Admissions Arrangements 2011/12

Coordinated Scheme for Admission to Primary, Infant and Junior Schools, incorporating admission policies for community and voluntary controlled schools For entry to schools in 2011-2012

7 Appendix A

CO-ORDINATED ADMISSIONS SCHEME FOR PRIMARY ADMISSIONS 2011

BACKGROUND

Legislation requires Local Authorities (LA) to draw up a statutory scheme for co- ordinating admission arrangements for all maintained schools in its area (excluding special schools, but including aided schools).

The purpose of a co-ordinated scheme is to ensure that every parent of a child living in Bracknell Forest area who has applied for a place in the normal admissions round receives an offer of only one place on the same day. Any scheme should also aim to ensure that parents are treated fairly and consistently regardless of the status of the school for which they make an application.

When drawing up admissions arrangements, admissions authorities should aim to ensure that their admissions criteria are clear, fair and objective, for the benefit of all children, including those with special educational needs, disabilities or in public care. Bracknell Forest Local Authority’s admissions criteria for its maintained schools reflect these requirements. Admissions arrangements should also enable parents’ preferences for schools to be met to the maximum extent possible.

MAIN DETAILS OF THE CO-ORDINATED SCHEME

• Equal preferences

The DCSF (Department for Children Schools & Families) states that a co-ordinated scheme is based on equal preferences. In other words all preferences are treated as equal initially. If more than one place can be offered, the single offer will be for the school the parent/carer has ranked highest. If a place cannot be offered at any of the preference schools, then a place will be offered at the next nearest school with available spaces in Bracknell Forest.

This system allows each preference that parents/carers give to be considered separately. If a child could be allocated a place at two or more of its preference schools, then the parents’ ranking will be used as a tie breaker.

• Information for parents

Information regarding the scheme and the admissions arrangements will be published in the LA’s Guide to Primary Education in Bracknell Forest which is also available on the Bracknell Forest’s website. This guide will be available from 12th September prior to the admissions year.

• Making an Application

Bracknell Forest residents can apply for a place for primary school either on line or using the Common Application Form issued. It must also be used if residents wish to apply for a school outside the Borough. All applications will be recorded by the home LA and then sent to the maintaining LA for each of the preference schools in accordance with the co-ordinated scheme’s timetable).

8 Appendix A

If Non Bracknell Forest residents wish to apply for a Bracknell Forest school they should use their home LA form or internet access site to apply. That request will then be transferred electronically by that Local Authority to Bracknell Forest by the date in the scheme.

o Common Application Form

All applicants living in Bracknell Forest can use the LA’s Common Application Form (CAF). Parents will need to register with the School Admissions Team from May 2010 to receive a CAF.

The form will allow parents to name three schools. Parents will be asked to rank their preferences. It will also allow them to give reasons for each preference, referring these to the admissions criteria.

If applicants wish for one or more of their preferences to be considered under the designated area criteria then they will have to send in a copy of their current council tax statement with their application in order to prove their residency. Service families can produce a Housing Executive letter or proof of redeployment.

Bracknell Forest residents will need to send or take their application form to Bracknell Forest’s School Admissions Team by the closing date of 21 January 2011.

o On Line Applications

Parents also have the option of completing an on-line application. Parents will be able to apply for a primary school place on line via the Council’s website. The site will be open for applications from 12 September to midday 14 January 2011.

• Applications for Aided Schools

The scheme will not affect the duty of the Governors of Aided Schools to set and apply their own admissions arrangements. These schools will continue to be able to operate their own over subscription criteria providing these are clear, fair and objective.

Aided Schools can, if they need to, prepare a Supplementary information Form (SIF) to be completed with the on line application/common application form if they require further information in order for them to allocate places at their school against their admissions criteria. Governing Bodies of VA schools and the Local Authority will make the SIF available to parents/carers both in hard copy and as a downloadable document on their school website. The forms will be available from and returned to the individual schools

The LA will process all the applications for the Aided schools and then transfer the information electronically to schools. On Line applicants who name a school that may require the completion of a SIF will be prompted by the system to complete and return the form (to the school) in addition to their on line application if necessary.

9 Appendix A

The Governing Bodies of Aided schools will need to meet within the timescales defined in the scheme in order to advise the LA of their ranking of their applications. The LA will require the Governors to produce a brief statement which will explain to applicants (and future appellants) how and why places have been allocated. The LA will send this statement out with all refusal letters.

• The allocation process – Bracknell Forest Schools

When more applications than places are received for Bracknell Forest maintained schools the following criteria will be used.

o Admissions Criteria for community schools

The following criteria apply to these Bracknell Forest community schools:

Ascot Heath Infant Harmans Water Primary Uplands Primary Birch Hill Primary Holly Spring Infant Whitegrove Primary College Town Infant Holly Spring Junior Wildridings Primary College Town Junior Meadow Vale Primary Wooden Hill Primary Cranbourne Primary New Scotland Hill Primary Wildmoor Heath Primary Crown Wood Primary Owlsmoor Primary Fox Hill Primary The Pines Primary Great Hollands Primary Sandy Lane Primary

Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs that names a specific school must, by law, be admitted to that school. After this requirement has been satisfied the following rules will apply:

(A) Looked After Children (Any request for the allocation of a place for a child who is in the care of the Local Authority or provided with accommodation in that authority in accordance with The Children Act 1989).

(B) Children who live in the designated area of the school.

(C) Children who have statutory (compulsory) school age siblings, brother(s) or sister(s), at the school, and who will still be attending the school at the time of the child’s admission.

In circumstances where:

(a) the sibling is an older sibling and is attending the school because he or she was not able to secure a place at his or her designated school ; and (b) as a consequence is attending the school which is in an adjacent designated area

the applicant will be treated as a ‘preferential sibling’ and will be considered before other non-designated area applicants who have siblings at the school.

(D) In the case of a junior school, children who have attended the infant school with close links with the school. and then - Children whose parents have any other reason.

10 Appendix A

Notes

After this, if there are still insufficient places, and no distinction can be made between the applicants, a final decision will be made on the radial distance (straight line distance on a map) between the home and the school. Those living nearer to the school will be placed higher than those living further away. Radial distance will be based on the co-ordinates for the property and the school as defined in the Local Land and Property Gazetteer and based on the Ordnance Survey’s national system.

If in the event that two or more children live at the same distance from school (for example for families living in flats) and there are fewer places available then random allocation will be used to decide which child will be allocated the remaining place(s). The process will be drawn and scrutinised by people who are independent of the Council. If criteria (D) is used then the relevant pairs of Junior and Infant Schools are Holly Spring Junior School and Holly Spring Infant School and College Town Junior School and College Town Infant School.

Where demand exists, schools admit up to their admission number and no places are reserved for pupils moving into their designated area.

o Admissions criteria for voluntary controlled schools

These criteria apply to the following schools:

Ascot Heath CE Junior Warfield CE Primary Crowthorne CE Primary Winkfield St Mary’s CE Primary

If the number of requests for places is equal to or less than the number of places available, then all applicants could be offered a place at that school.

Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs that names a specific school must, by law, be admitted to that school. After this requirement has been satisfied the following rules will apply:

(B) Children who live in the designated area of the school.

(C) Children who have statutory (compulsory) school age siblings, brother(s) or sister(s), at the school, and who will still be attending the school at the time of the child’s admission.

In circumstances where:

11 Appendix A

(c) the sibling is an older sibling and is attending the school because he or she was not able to secure a place at his or her designated school ; and (d) as a consequence is attending the school which is in an adjacent designated area

the applicant will be treated as a ‘preferential sibling’ and will be considered before other non-designated area applicants who have siblings at the school.

(D) Children whose parents choose the school on denominational grounds.

(E) In the case of a junior school, children who have attended the infant school with close links with the school.

and then - Children whose parents have any other reason for their choice.

• Denominational Grounds

Where denominational grounds are a reason for the application, it will be necessary for at least one of the parents/carers of the child concerned to regularly attend a church that is part of the group of Churches Together in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. This group includes the following types of church - Church of England, all the protestant non-conformist churches (e.g. Baptist, Methodist, United Reform) and Roman Catholic or any other Christian denominational church.

At least one of the parents/carers, who live at the same address as the child, must attend worship on at least two occasions in each calendar month for at least 8 months of the year in the 12 months prior to the published closing date for admissions or the date of application if it is an in-year application. Attendance does not include services of marriage, funerals or christenings (except for the christening of the child seeking entrance to the particular school).

12 Appendix A

Applicants will need to complete the relevant section on the Common Application Form in order to confirm that they are applying to the school on denominational grounds. In addition it will then be necessary for the form to be passed onto their local clergy for verification before it is sent to the School Admissions Team.

• Allocation process

As soon as all applications have been received, including those submitted on line and from outside Bracknell Forest, the LA will consider all applications equally for its maintained schools and apply the admissions arrangements as published.

Allocation letters will be sent to Parents by the LA on 21 April 2011. The LA will advise all parents of the result of their application. If they have been refused a place at one of their preference schools they will be informed of the reasons for refusal and the details of how to make an appeal (for Maintained and Aided Schools).

• Multiple Births

Where the LA has received applications for twins or other multiple births and an offer can not be made to all of them then the LA will write to the parents offering place(s) and the parents will need to decide which child/ren take up the offer.

• Split residence orders

It is increasingly common that parents are agreeing, and courts are sanctioning, split residence orders under Section 8 of The Children Act. Further advice on this matter can be obtained from the School Admissions Team. Any details regarding split residency, or the child’s living arrangements, must be submitted at the time of application. It is the parents’ responsibility to provide this information. As a general rule split residence is based (for admissions purposes) on the number of school nights a child spends at the home. The School Admissions Team may take legal advice on these matters as they relate to a specific case and their decision is final. A main address will need to be used to process the application. If the second parent/carer’s address is different from the first they will not receive any information/letters unless this is requested.

• Home address

The address where the child lives at the closing date of 21 January 2011 will be used to process the application. It is for the applicant to satisfy the Admissions Authority that they live at the address that they state. If fraud is suspected then further proof may be requested. If fraud is established then any offer of a school place will be withdrawn. If a parent/carer owns a property within the Borough which they rent out and then rent another property themselves within, or nearer to the designated area of the preferred school, unless the owned house has been rented out for 12 months prior to the closing date for the return of the Common Application Form, their owned property will be the address used for determining their designated area.

• Applicants from abroad

13 Appendix A

produce written proof confirming the details and timing of the relocation. Further advice on the documentation required can be obtained from the School Admissions Team. Service families can produce a Housing Executive letter or proof of redeployment.

• Pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Needs

Their admission to school will be managed by the Special Needs Team who will inform the Admissions Team of the allocation of places. The Admissions Team will allocate these pupils first. Parents will be advised by 15 February 2011 as to their child’s allocated school.

• Appeals

If parents have been refused a place at one or more of their preferences they will be informed of their right of appeal. All appeals for Bracknell Forest schools must be submitted by 20 May 2011. The LA will then endeavour to hear all appeals submitted by this date within 30 school days.

• Waiting lists

The LA will maintain waiting lists for over subscribed schools. Applicants not offered a place at their first or higher preference school can be placed on a waiting list. Parents will be asked to inform the LA if they wish their child’s name to go on a waiting list. Parents should be aware that their child’s name can go up or down the waiting list according to the priority of new additions to the list, for example someone moving into the area is placed on the appropriate place on the waiting list. Lists will be reviewed on an annual basis. The LA will maintain the waiting lists for all Bracknell Forest maintained schools for the academic year for which they have applied. At the end of that year it will end and parents will need to reapply for a place, and be added to the appropriate waiting list in accordance with the criteria.

• Applications made after the closing date for on line admissions but before 21 January 2011

There will be no facility to submit an on line application after 14 January 2011 but parents can still submit a paper application during this time.

• Non-returned Common Application Form (CAF)

Where it can reasonably be assumed that an application could have been made by the closing date of 21 January 2011 the application will be processed by the School Admissions Team after 20 May 2011.

• Moving into Bracknell Forest

Where it can reasonably be assumed that an application could not have been made by the closing date of 21 January 2011 (for example if they have just moved into Bracknell Forest) but the application form is submitted before 25 March 2011 the application will be considered on time. However evidence to support the reason for the late application will be required by the Local Authority. If the application is received on or after 25 March 2011 it will be processed after 20 May 2011.

14 Appendix A

• Moving within Bracknell Forest

If parents move house within Bracknell Forest after the closing date of 21 January 2011 and before 25 March 2011 they must contact the Local Authority to discuss any changes they may be able to make to their preferences. They will be accommodated if at all possible.

• Changes of preference

Parents who wish to amend their application (paper or online) before the closing date will be allowed to do so as long as they put their request in writing to the Admissions Team by the closing date.

Changes of preference after the closing date of 21 January 2011 will only be allowed if the preferred school is not over subscribed and then only after 21 April 2011.

• Definitions

Parent is defined under S576 of the Education Act 1996.

Sibling is defined as children who have brothers or sisters living in the same family unit and at the same address and for whom the applicant has parental responsibility.

ADMISSIONS TO JUNIOR SCHOOL

These will be managed centrally by the LA. Using existing data the LA will pre print application forms for all year 2 pupils registered in Bracknell Forest infant schools in September/October 2010. These forms will be sent to parents with a Guide to Primary Education in Bracknell Forest.

Any parents wishing to apply for a place at a junior school, will do so at the same time as for first admission for school, ie. by 21 January 2011 for entry in September 2011. The LA will issue all offer and refusal letters. Parents will be offered the right of appeal if necessary.

Pupils do not just have to be in an infant school to be able to apply for a place at a junior school. However, the LA would not encourage parents to move a child who was already settled, out of a primary school into a junior school, unless they had a very good reason.

15 Appendix A

TIMETABLE FOR THE PRIMARY CO-ORDINATED ADMISSIONS SCHEME 2011/12

Date Action

By 1 July 2010 Governing Bodies of schools to advise LA about the admission of rising fives

September 2010 Guide to Primary Education in Bracknell Forest to be published. Common application forms to be produced and sent to parents.

September 2010 – Applications to be submitted to the LA 21 January 2011 midday on Closing date for Online applications 14 January 2011

21 January 2011 Closing date for paper applications (CAFs)

By 15 February SEN Team to inform parents of statemented pupils of their 2011 allocated school

By 11 March LA to transfer information to Aided schools 2011

18 March 2011 Closing date for receipt of supplementary information forms by VA schools

22 – 25 March Aided schools governors to meet to allocate places 2011

By 28 March 2011 Aided schools to advise LA of allocations All schools to confirm to the LA that they have not made any offers to the children in the year group in question (ie. offered too early)

21 April 2011 Offer letters to be sent out by the LA*

By 20 May 2011 Parents to accept offers Appeals should be submitted

Summer Term LA to advise schools of final allocation details 2011 Schools to send out registration forms. Appeals to be heard

*The LA will always offer places in line with the Borough’s admissions policy.

16 Appendix A

PUBLISHED ADMISSIONS NUMBERS FOR 2011/12

School Calculated IAL 2011/12 @ 10.10.09 PAN Primary Schools:

Ascot Heath CE Junior 60 60 Ascot Heath Infant 70 70 Binfield CE Primary 60 60 Birch Hill Primary 60 60 Broadmoor Primary 29 30 College Town Infant 77 90 College Town Junior 97 90 Cranbourne Primary 30 30 Crown Wood Primary* 46*** 90*** Crowthorne CE Primary 29 30 Fox Hill Primary 30 30 Great Hollands Primary 61 60 Harmans Water Primary 90 90 Holly Spring Infant * 60*** 90*** Holly Spring Junior 60 60 Meadow Vale Primary * 60*** 90*** New Scotland Hill Primary 30 30 Owlsmoor Primary* 70*** 90*** Jennett’s Park Primary+ 60+ 30 Pines Primary 30 30 Sandy Lane Primary 83 90 St Joseph’s RC Primary 30 30 St Margaret Clitherow RC Primary 30 30 St Michael’s CE Primary (Sand.) 30 30 St Michael’s (EHP) CE Primary 35 35 Uplands Primary 30 30 Warfield CE Primary 30 30 Whitegrove Primary 61 60 Wildridings Primary 60 60 Winkfield St Mary’s CE Primary 30 30 Wooden Hill Primary 49 50

+ to be phased in as building works start. Initially the PAN will be 30. *** subject to building works being completed during 2010/11

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18 Appendix B

Admissions Arrangements 2011/12

Coordinated Scheme for Admission to Secondary Schools, incorporating the admission policy for community schools For entry to schools in 2011-2012

19 Appendix B

CO-ORDINATED ADMISSIONS SCHEME FOR SECONDARY ADMISSIONS 2011

BACKGROUND

MAIN DETAILS OF THE CO-ORDINATED SCHEME

• Equal preferences

• Information for parents

Information regarding the scheme and the admissions arrangements will be published in the LA’s Guide to Secondary Education in Bracknell Forest which is also available on Bracknell Forest’s website. This guide will be available by12th September prior to the admissions year.

• Making an Application

Bracknell Forest residents can apply for a place for secondary school either on line or using the Common Application Form issued. It must also be used if residents wish to apply for a school outside the Borough. All applications will be recorded by the home LA and then sent to the maintaining LA for each of the preference schools in accordance with the co-ordinated scheme’s timetable).

20 Appendix B

o Common Application Form

All applicants living in Bracknell Forest can use the LA’s Common Application Form (CAF). Personalised copies of this form will be sent to the parents of those Bracknell Forest pupils in Bracknell Forest schools. Arrangements will also be made to ensure that parents of Bracknell Forest pupils in neighbouring LA’s schools will also receive a personalised form. Parents of pupils in Bracknell Forest schools who are not Bracknell Forest residents will be sent a copy of their “home” LA’s secondary information booklet and form from the Admissions Team of their “home” LA.

The LA will initially receive all applications for Ranelagh for processing. The Supplementary Information Form can either be returned to the school or to Bracknell Forest School Admissions Team. The LA’s common form will be the means for parents to identify Ranelagh as their preferred school.

Applications made on the Bracknell Forest Common Application Form for children within a Bracknell Forest primary school should be returned to the child’s current Bracknell Forest primary school by 01 November 2010. The primary school will forward the form on to the LA’s Admissions Team.

Bracknell Forest parents whose child attends a school in another LA and who wish to submit a paper application, can return their form either to their child’s current school or directly to the Bracknell Forest Admissions Team by 01 November 2010. Bracknell Forest parents whose child attends an independent school will need to send their application form directly to Bracknell Forest’s Admissions Team by 01 November 2010.

o On Line Applications

Parents also have the option of completing an on-line application. Parents will be able to apply for a secondary school place on line via the Council’s website. The site will be open for applications from 12 September to midday on 25 October 2010. On line applications have to be submitted by midday 25 October 2010.

21 Appendix B

• Ranelagh School

The governors of Ranelagh School use the Common Application Form as their main application form. The school and the LA will distribute the Ranelagh Supplementary Information Form (SIF) on which applicants will be able to give additional information that will enable the Governors to apply their admissions arrangements. Governing Body will make the SIF available to parents/carers both in hard copy and as a downloadable document on their school website.

Ranelagh and the LA will supply parents with copies of the Ranelagh Supplementary information Form on demand. The SIF must be completed where necessary and returned to either the school or the LA. On Line applicants will need to ensure that they complete and submit the SIF where necessary within the required timescales.

Bracknell Forest’s Admissions Team will send data on applicants’ preferences to Ranelagh electronically by 27 November 2010.

• The allocation process – Bracknell Forest maintained schools

When more applications than places are received for Bracknell Forest maintained schools the following criteria will be used.

• Admissions Criteria

The following criteria apply to the five Bracknell Forest community schools:

Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs that names a specific school must, by law, be admitted to that school. After this requirement has been satisfied the following rules will apply:

(B) Children who live in the designated area of the school.

(C) Children who have brother(s) or sister(s) at the school (including sixth form), and who will still be attending school at the time of the applicant’s admission. This will be checked as necessary before an offer is made. These siblings include children living as siblings in the same family unit and at the same address as the child and for whom the applicant has parental responsibility.

(D) Children who attend a primary school that is formally linked with the secondary school.

(E) Children whose parents have selected the school for co-educational or single-sex educational reasons when the local alternative is respectively single-sex or co educational.

And then all other applicants.

Children must be living in the designated area and/or attending a feeder primary at the closing date of 01 November 2010 to be considered under these criteria.

22 Appendix B

In some cases a tie-breaker will be required. If a school does not have places for all the children in one of the above criteria, priority will be given to children who fulfil a combination of higher admission criteria. The combination of criteria will follow the same order of priority as the basic list of criteria. (eg. an applicant who fulfils designated area will take precedence over one who fulfils sibling and feeder primary; an applicant who fulfils designated area and sibling, will take precedence over one who fulfils sibling and feeder primary etc) After this, if there are still insufficient places, and no distinction can be made between the applicants, a final decision will be made on the radial distance (straight line distance on a map) between the home and the school. Those living nearer to the school will be placed higher than those living further away. Radial distance will be based on the co-ordinates for the property and the school as defined in the Local Land and Property Gazetteer and based on the Ordnance Survey’s national system.

The LA will send out initial allocation lists to neighbouring LAs by 17 January 2011.

THE ALLOCATION PROCESS

Allocation letters will be sent to parents by their home LA on 1 March 2011. The home LA will advise all parents of the result of their application. If they have been refused a place at one of their preference schools they will be informed of the reasons for refusal and the details of how to make an appeal.

• Ranelagh School

The Governors of Ranelagh School will make their decisions based on the information received from applicants on the common application form or on line and the SIF where necessary.

The Governors will rank all the applications for their school and advise the LA at the beginning of the spring term 2011 of the results. Their ranked list will include all on time applications. The Governors will provide a statement explaining how places have been allocated and (where appropriate) the reasons why all the preferences have not been met. This statement will be sent to parents by their home LAs with their allocation letter on 1 March 2011.

On behalf of the Governors of Ranelagh School the home LA will advise all Ranelagh applicants of the results of their application. The home LA will advise those applicants who are refused a place of their right of appeal and of the arrangements in place for making an appeal.

23 Appendix B

• The allocation process – non Bracknell Forest schools

Parents who have applied for schools outside Bracknell Forest will be sent the results of their application by their home LA on 1 March 2011. In order to do this the maintaining LA will inform the home LA whether they are able to allocate a place at any of the preferred schools by 17 January 2011. The home LA will then consider all the preferences and possible offers. The home LA will offer a place at the school that was ranked the highest by the parent/carer.

All non Bracknell Forest admissions authorities will be expected to provide the home LA with a detailed statement explaining how places have been allocated and (where appropriate) the reasons why all the preferences have not been met by 15 February 2011. This statement will be sent to parents with the allocation letter on 1 March 2011.

• The Allocation Process - Pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs

In accordance with the Code of Practice for Pupils with Special Educational Needs the parents of these pupils will be informed of their child’s allocated secondary school by 15 February 2011.

• Multiple Births

• Appeals – Bracknell Forest maintained schools

If parents have been refused a place at one or more of their preferences they will be informed of their right of appeal. All appeals for Bracknell Forest schools must be submitted by 25 March 2011. The LA will then endeavour to hear all appeals submitted by this date within 30 school days. All on time appeals will be heard by 6 July 2011.

• Appeals – Ranelagh School

The Governors will make arrangements for appeals. All appeals for Ranelagh School must be submitted by 25 March 2011. The Appeal Panel will then endeavour to hear all appeals submitted by this date within 30 school days. All on time appeals will be heard by 6 July 2011.

• Waiting lists

Applicants not offered a place at one of their higher preference school than that offered are placed on a waiting list. The waiting list will be constructed using the same order of priorities as set out in the admissions criteria. Parents should be aware that their child’s name can go up or down the waiting list according to the priority of new additions to the list, for example someone moving into the area is placed on the appropriate place on the waiting list. The LA will maintain the waiting lists for all Bracknell Forest maintained schools for the academic year for which they have applied. At the end of that year it will end and parents will need to reapply for a place, and be added to the appropriate waiting list in accordance with the criteria.

24 Appendix B

The LA will maintain the waiting list for Ranelagh School until 1 September 2011 when Ranelagh will maintain their own.

Once the child has left their primary school the feeder primary school criteria will be removed.

• Applications made after the closing date for on line admissions but before 01 November 2010

There will be no facility to submit an on line application after 25 October 2010 but parents can still submit a paper application during this time.

• Non-returned Common Application Form (CAF)

Where it can reasonably be assumed that an application could have been made by the closing date of 01 November 2010 the application will be processed by the School Admissions Team after 25 March 2011.

• Moving into Bracknell Forest

Where it can reasonably be assumed that an application could not have been made by the closing date of 01 November 2010 (for example if they have just moved into Bracknell Forest) but the application form is submitted before 11 February 2011 the application will be considered on time. However evidence to support the reason for the late application will be required by the Local Authority. If the application is received on or after 11 February 2011 it will be processed after 1 March 2011.

• Moving within Bracknell Forest

If parents move house within Bracknell Forest after the closing date of 01 November 2010 and before 11 February 2011 they must contact the Local Authority to discuss any changes they may be able to make to their preferences. They will be accommodated if at all possible.

• Changes of preference

Parents who wish to amend their application (paper or online) before the closing date will be allowed to do so as long as they put their request in writing to the Admissions Team by the closing date.

Changes of preference after the closing date (01 November 2010) will only be allowed if the preferred school is not over subscribed and then only after 1 March 2011.

• Split residence orders

25 Appendix B

main address will need to be used to process the application. If the second parent/carer’s address is different from the first they will not receive any information/letters unless this is requested.

• Home address

The address where the child lives at the closing date of 01 November 2010 will be used to process the application. It is for the applicant to satisfy the Admissions Authority that they live at the address that they state. If fraud is suspected then further proof may be requested. If fraud is established then any offer of a school place will be withdrawn. If a parent/carer owns a property within the Borough which they rent out and then rent another property themselves within, or nearer to the designated area of the preferred school, unless the owned house has been rented out for 12 months prior to the closing date for the return of the Common Application Form, their owned property will be the address used for determining their designated area.

• Applicants from abroad

If families are moving (for the first time) into the Bracknell Forest area from abroad, then they (including the child) must be resident before an application for a school place can be accepted. Proof of residency will be required. If they are living abroad and returning to a property that they own, in the local area, then they will need to produce written proof confirming the details and timing of the relocation. Further advice on the documentation required can be obtained from the School Admissions Team. Service families can produce a Housing Executive letter or proof of redeployment.

• Definitions

Parent is under S576 of the Education Act 1996.

Sibling is defined as children who have brothers or sisters living in the same family unit and at the same address and for whom the applicant has parental responsibility.

26 Appendix B

SECONDARY TRANSFER TIMETABLE SEPTEMBER 2011 ENTRY

Date Action

Midday 25 October 2010 Closing date for Online applications

01 November 2010 Closing date for paper applications (CAFs)

By 27 November 2010 Electronic information to be sent to neighbouring authorities

By 27 November 2010 Electronic information to be sent to Aided/Grammar schools

Start of the spring term 2011 Aided and Grammar Schools to advise “home” LA of allocated places and waiting list (all to be ranked according to admissions criteria)

By 17 January 2011 Send out initial allocation information to neighbouring Berkshire authorities

By 15 February 2011 Inform parents of statemented pupils of their allocated school

By 15 February 2011 Send out details of final allocation to neighbouring Berkshire authorities

By 21 February 2011 Give indicative numbers to Secondary schools

1 March 2011 Allocation letters to parents

After 1 March 2011 Full details to secondary/receiving schools

25 March 2011 Closing date for receipt of appeals and date for acceptances to be received

The LA will endeavour to hear all Appeal Hearings appeals submitted by the closing date within 30 school days. All on time appeals will be heard by 6 July 2011.

27 Appendix B

PUBLISHED ADMISSIONS NUMBERS FOR 2011/12

Calculated IAL 2011/12 Secondary Schools: @ PAN

Brakenhale 194 194

Easthampstead Park 240 240

Edgbarrow 210 210

Garth Hill 270 270

Ranelagh 155 155

Sandhurst 200 200

28 Appendix C

School Admissions Arrangements 2011/12

Coordinated Scheme for In-Year Admission to Secondary School and Primary, Infant, Junior schools For entry to schools in 2011-2012

29 Appendix C

BACKGROUND

The purpose of a co-ordinated scheme is to ensure that every parent of a child moving into Bracknell Forest area applies to their home local authority for a school place, regardless of the admissions authority for that school. Any scheme should also aim to ensure that parents are treated fairly and consistently regardless of the status of the school for which they make an application.

SECONDARY SCHOOL IN YEAR APPLICATIONS 2011/12

The LA will manage all in year applications for those residents of Bracknell Forest. It will be necessary for all schools to inform the LA at regular intervals of their numbers on roll. This information may be collected electronically.

If an application is received after the academic year has started then it will be treated as an “in year” application.

The form will allow parents to name three schools. Parents will be asked to rank their preferences. It will also allow them to give reasons for each preference.

The following criteria will be used for Bracknell Forest maintained schools.

• Admissions Criteria

The following criteria apply to the five Bracknell Forest community schools:

Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs that names a specific school must, by law, be admitted to that school. After this requirement has been satisfied the following rules will apply:

(B) Children who live in the designated area of the school.

(C) Children who have brother(s) or sister(s) at the school (including sixth form), and who will still be attending school at the time of the applicant’s admission.

30 Appendix C

This will be checked as necessary before an offer is made. These siblings include children living as siblings in the same family unit and at the same address as the child and for whom the applicant has parental responsibility.

(D) Children who attend a primary school that is formally linked with the secondary school.

(E) Children whose parents have selected the school for co-educational or single-sex educational reasons when the local alternative is respectively single-sex or co educational.

And then all other applicants.

• Ranelagh School

The governors of Ranelagh School use their home local authority form as their main application form. The school and the LA will distribute the Ranelagh Supplementary Information Form (SIF) on which applicants will be able to give additional information that will enable the Governors to apply their admissions arrangements. Governing Body will make the SIF available to parents/carers both in hard copy and as a downloadable document on their school website.

Ranelagh and the LA will supply parents with copies of the Ranelagh Supplementary information Form on demand. The SIF must be completed where necessary and returned to either the school or the LA.

The co-ordinated scheme does not affect the duty of the Governors of Ranelagh School (a Voluntary Aided school) to set their own admissions arrangements.

• Allocation Of Places

Parents who have named school/s outside of Bracknell Forest will be sent any offer or refusal by their home LA. In order to do this the maintaining LA will inform the home LA whether they are able to allocate a place at any of the preferred schools.

31 Appendix C

The home LA will then consider all the preferences and possible offers. The home LA will offer a place at the school that was ranked the highest by the parent/carer.

The LA will offer or refuse places for its residents. The LA will issue refusals if necessary and give details on the appeals process. It will pass on applications for Ranelagh School to the Governors so that they can make a decision about a place. The Governors will then inform the LA who will formally send out the offer or refusal on behalf of the Governors. If a place can be offered or is refused to a resident from another Local Authority then this information will be passed to that authority. The LA will give details about the appeals process on behalf of the Governors.

• Appeals – Bracknell Forest maintained schools

If an application is refused then with the refusal letter will be sent information on the right to appeal. Appeals must be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

• Appeals – Ranelagh School

If an application is refused then with the refusal letter will be sent information on the right to appeal. Appeals must be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

• Waiting lists

If there is not a place at the preferred school then the applicant will be asked if they wish their child’s name to be placed on a waiting list of their preferred school. Parents should be aware that their child’s name can go up or down the waiting list according to the priority of new additions to the list, for example someone moving into the area is placed on the appropriate place on the waiting list. This information will then be passed to the relevant admission authority for them to process according to their arrangements.

PRIMARY IN YEAR APPLICATIONS 2011/12

If an application is received after the academic year has started then it will be treated as an “in year” application.

The form will allow parents to name three schools. Parents will be asked to rank their preferences. It will also allow them to give reasons for each preference.

32 Appendix C

The home LA will then consider all the preferences and possible offers. The home LA will offer a place at the school that was ranked the highest by the parent/carer.

The following criteria will be used for Bracknell Forest maintained schools.

• Admissions Criteria for community schools

The following criteria apply to these Bracknell Forest community schools:

Ascot Heath Infant Harmans Water Primary Uplands Primary Birch Hill Primary Holly Spring Infant Whitegrove Primary College Town Infant Holly Spring Junior Wildridings Primary College Town Junior Meadow Vale Primary Wildmoor Heath Primary Cranbourne Primary New Scotland Hill Primary Wooden Hill Primary Crown Wood Primary Owlsmoor Primary Fox Hill Primary The Pines Primary Great Hollands Primary Sandy Lane Primary

Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs that names a specific school must, by law, be admitted to that school. After this requirement has been satisfied the following rules will apply:

(B) Children who live in the designated area of the school.

(C) Children who have statutory (compulsory) school age siblings, brother(s) or sister(s), at the school, and who will still be attending the school at the time of the child’s admission.

In circumstances where:

the applicant will be treated as a ‘preferential sibling’ and will be considered before other non-designated area applicants who have siblings at the school.

(D) In the case of a junior school, children who have attended the infant school with close links with the school. and then - Children whose parents have any other reason.

Notes

33 Appendix C

fulfils designated area and sibling will take precedence over one who fulfils designated area

If criteria (D) is used then the relevant pairs of Junior and Infant Schools are Holly Spring Junior School and Holly Spring Infant School and College Town Junior School and College Town Infant School.

Where demand exists, schools admit up to their admission number and no places are reserved for pupils moving into their designated area.

• Admissions criteria for voluntary controlled schools

These criteria apply to the following schools:

Ascot Heath CE Junior Warfield CE Primary Crowthorne CE Primary Winkfield St Mary’s CE Primary

If the number of requests for places is equal to or less than the number of places available, then all applicants could be offered a place at that school.

Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs that names a specific school must, by law, be admitted to that school. After this requirement has been satisfied the following rules will apply:

(B) Children who live in the designated area of the school.

(C) Children who have statutory (compulsory) school age siblings, brother(s) or sister(s), at the school, and who will still be attending the school at the time of the child’s admission.

In circumstances where:

34 Appendix C

the applicant will be treated as a ‘preferential sibling’ and will be considered before other non-designated area applicants who have siblings at the school.

(D) Children whose parents choose the school on denominational grounds.

(E) In the case of a junior school, children who have attended the infant school with close links with the school.

and then - Children whose parents have any other reason for their choice.

• Denominational Grounds

At least one of the parents/carers, who live at the same address as the child, must attend worship on at least two occasions in each calendar month for at least 8 months of the year in the 12 months prior to the date of application. Attendance does not include services of marriage, funerals or christenings (except for the christening of the child seeking entrance to the particular school).

35 Appendix C

• Applications for Aided Schools

Aided Schools can, if they need to, prepare Supplementary information Form (SIF) to be completed if they require further information in order for them to allocate places at their school against their admissions criteria. Governing Bodies of VA schools and the Local Authority will make the SIF available to parents/carers both in hard copy and as a downloadable document on their school website. The forms will be available from and returned to the individual schools

The LA will process all the applications for the Aided schools The Governing Bodies of Aided schools will need to meet in order to advise the LA of their decision.

• Allocation process

The LA will consider all applications and apply the admissions arrangements as published.

The LA will advise all parents of the result of their application. If they have been refused a place at one of their preference schools they will be informed of the reasons for refusal and the details of how to make an appeal (for Maintained and Aided Schools).

• Appeals – Bracknell Forest community and voluntary controlled schools

If an application is refused then with the refusal letter will be sent information on the right to appeal. Appeals must be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

• Appeals – Aided School

If an application is refused then with the refusal letter will be sent information on the right to appeal. Appeals must be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

• Waiting lists

If there is not a place at the preferred school then the applicant will be asked if they wish their child’s name to be placed on a waiting list for their preferred school. Parents should be aware that their child’s name can go up or down the waiting list according to the priority of new additions to the list, for example someone moving into the area is placed on the appropriate place on the waiting list. This information will then be passed to the relevant admission authority for them to process according to their arrangements.

36 Appendix E

School Admissions Arrangements 2011/12

Coordinated Scheme for Admission to Community Nursery Schools For entry to schools in 2011-2012

37 Appendix E

NURSERY CLASS ADMISSIONS 2011/12

• Introduction

Amendments in the Education Act 2002, have clarified that the LA is responsible for making decisions in relation to admissions to nursery classes in community and voluntary controlled schools. In order to comply with this and in order to ensure clarity and fairness across the Borough. Bracknell Forest LA is proposing to issue good practice guidelines in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage implemented in September 2008.

• Admissions Arrangements

Admissions arrangements should work for the benefit of all parents and children in an area and that the arrangements should be as straightforward as possible. Most importantly, admissions criteria must be clear, fair and objective and for the benefit of all children. Also local admissions arrangements must comply with all relevant legislation and guidance.

• Appeals

Parents do not have a statutory right of appeal to an independent panel in relation to nursery admissions. It is therefore essential that all admissions decisions can be justified by reference to published admissions arrangements that are adhered to in all cases and by all schools.

• Policy statement and good practice guidelines

Bracknell Forest LA has produced good practice guidelines for admission to all nursery classes in community and voluntary controlled schools and the management of children in those classes. The LA has also developed an admissions policy for all nursery classes in community and voluntary controlled schools.

• Aided Schools

The governing body of an aided school with a nursery class is responsible for the admission of children to its school. Whilst the governors can set their own admissions arrangements, providing they are clear, fair and objective, the LA hopes that these schools will adopt the arrangements in this Borough policy. Governing bodies of aided schools are required to consult on their admissions arrangements annually within a timetable set out in legislation.

• Admissions Policy

The minimum age of admission will be three years. Children will be able to start the term after their third birthday and remain there until of statutory school age. The timetable for admission must be published by each school.

• Common Application form - each parent will be required to fill in a common application form for nursery class admission.

• Criteria for admissions - if there are more applications than there are places available then all applications will be put into rank order. The order that they are put into is determined by the admissions criteria as set out below. The

38 Appendix E

criteria have been kept as simple as possible so as to comply with the requirement to be clear, fair and objective.

Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs that names the school must be admitted to that school. After this requirement has been satisfied the following rules will apply;

A. children who are in the care of the local authority or provided with accommodation in that authority in accordance with The Children Act 1989;

B. Children who will have an older brother or sister in the nursery at the time of the applicant’s admission. These siblings include children living as siblings in the same family unit and at the same address as the chid and for whom the applicant has parental responsibility.

C. oldest children first (date of birth order);

If there are insufficient places for all the children in one of the above categories, priority will be given to children who fulfil more than one of the admissions criteria, using a combination of higher criteria. After this, if there are still insufficient places, and no distinction can be made between the applicants, a final decision will be made on the radial distance between the home and the school. Radial distance will be based on the co-ordinates for the property and the school as defined in the Local Land and Property Gazetteer and based on the Ordnance Survey’s national system.

Schools will publish their intake policy in advance in line with the attached timetable. The timetable should be published each year by the school so that parents will be able to clearly see when they should apply for their child’s entry to a nursery class.

• Sessions

The government has tasked Local Authorities with meeting the childcare needs of working parents. To cater for these needs nurseries offer 15 hours of childcare a week. Nurseries will offer these 15 hours with varying degrees of flexibility. Some nurseries may only provide care for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, either in the morning or afternoon (as per the old sessional arrangements). Other nurseries will offer greater flexibility and allow parents to choose the hours of attendance which suit their needs. This flexibility is subject to the following restrictions.

15 hours a week over a minimum of 3 days A minimum hours in a day of a 2 hour block A maximum of 10 hours in one day, 13 hours total if over 2 days

Parents should be asked to express a preference for hours of attendance and where flexibility is offered the school will do its best to meet the preference. However, prior to completing the application form, parents are advised to speak to the nurseries they are interested in to ensure that the nursery offers hours of attendance that meet their needs. A nursery is not required to change the hours it offers to suit the needs of parents. However, the Local Authority will monitor working parent demand for flexible hours and will negotiate with nurseries for a change in hours where appropriate.

39 Appendix E

• Reception Classes

Admission to a nursery class attached to a school does not guarantee admission to the reception class of that school. Parents will be expected to apply for admission to the main school separately at the published time. Attendance in a nursery class will not be taken into account when the parent applies for entry to school.

• Registration Forms

Once a child has been offered a place in a nursery class the parent will have to accept or decline the offer within a specific timeframe. Once an offer has been accepted, and before the child starts at the nursery, the parent will be required to complete a registration form which will include such information as emergency contact details etc.

The timetable for admission in 2011/12 is as follows:

SEPTEMBER 2011 ENTRY – FOR CHILDREN BORN ON 1 APRIL 2008 AND ONWARDS:

Dates Actions 1 October – 31 December 2010 Submit application forms 31 January 2011 Parents to be informed 28 February 2011 Parents to accept or decline offers by February 2011+ Parents to give notice to early years provider as necessary September 2011 Child starts

JANUARY 2012 ENTRY – FOR CHILDREN BORN ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2008 AND ONWARDS:

Dates Actions 1 January – 31 March 2011 Submit application forms 30 April 2011 Parents to be informed 31 May 2011 Parents to accept or decline offers by May 2011+ Parents to give notice to early years provider as necessary January 2012 Child starts

APRIL 2012 ENTRY – FOR CHILDREN BORN ON 1 JANUARY 2009 AND ONWARDS:

Dates Actions 1 April – 30 June 2011 Submit application forms 30 September 2011 Parents to be informed 31 October 2011 Parents to accept or decline offers by October 2011+ Parents to give notice to early years provider as necessary April 2012 Child starts

40 Appendix D

Admissions Arrangements 2011/12

Admission policy for sixth form community schools For entry to schools in 2011-2012

41 Appendix D

SIXTH FORM ADMISSIONS 2011/12

• Entitlement to sixth form education

All secondary schools in Bracknell Forest have sixth forms and pupils in individual schools are entitled to be considered for entry into their school sixth form provided they meet the entry criteria for individual courses and that there are sufficient spaces to meet their requirements.

Bracknell Forest secondary schools must first offer places for sixth form to year 11 students within the school and then to external applicants provided an appropriate course is available for a suitably qualified student.

School governing bodies must set an admission number for Year 12 for external applicants. An admission number for Year 12 must be set and submitted to the local authority before 1 July 2010 for implementation in the following academic year (14 months later), after inclusion in the annual consultation on the authority’s admissions arrangements, and to facilitate publication in the authority’s composite prospectus for that year of entry.

• Roles and Responsibilities

The responsibility for determining the admissions policy for community sixth forms in secondary schools is that of the local authority. Administration of sixth form admissions is delegated by the local authority to the community secondary schools.

There is one voluntary aided secondary school in Bracknell Forest; Ranelagh, which sets and administers its own admissions arrangements for the sixth form.

• Start dates

All students are required to start on, or the first school day after, 1 September 2011.

• Published Admission Number

This is the number of places that the admission authority must offer in each relevant age group for a school for which it is the admission authority.

For 6 th Forms the published admission number must relate only to those being admitted to the school for the first time and should be based on an estimate of the minimum number of external applicants likely to be admitted, although it would be acceptable to exceed this if demand for available courses can be met. This Published Admission Number is separate from the main schools admission number and has no bearing on the capacity of the main school.

• Applying for entry into sixth forms

Applications should be made on the school’s application form and forwarded to the school’s Head of Sixth Form by 26 February 2011. The application form will also be submitted to the local authority to ensure that it meets the requirements of the School Admissions Code. It is unlawful for schools to interview students or their families to determine a place; although meetings may be arranged to provide advice on options and entry requirements for particular courses.

42 Appendix D

Entry to courses in the sixth form must not be dependent on attendance, behaviour record, or perceptions of attitude or motivation as this is unlawful.

To ensure transparency; schools will publicise what courses are available; the entry requirements for each; and provide statistics about the number of internal and external applicants accepted and refused on each course, plus the number of applications received for each course in the previous year.

Schools will provide this statistical information to the local authority in September each year in order that a report may be prepared for the Schools Admissions Forum.

Parents may apply by the deadline given in the school prospectus and pass the application form to the nominated person on the application form.

Places allocated will be offered in accordance with the published admissions criteria. Parents should ensure that they read the admissions policy and complete the standard application form for admission to the sixth form.

Offers of places to external students are subject to the school confirming date of birth or right of abode by examination of the birth certificate and/or student’s passport, as appropriate.

Applications will be considered by a committee of the Governing Body, or this may be delegated to the Headteacher or Head of Sixth Form plus at least one other member of staff nominated by the Governing Body.

Parents will be asked to declare that the address used will be their place of residence, the offer of a place may be withdrawn if false or misleading information is given.

• Allocation of places (oversubscription criteria)

In the case of oversubscription for a place on a particular course, places will be offered first to students within the school and then to external applicants.

The following criteria will be used to allocate the available places¹ on those courses that receive more applications than can be accommodated:

Children with statements of special educational needs that name a school in the statement are required to be admitted to the school that is named and who meet the academic requirements for the course. The admissions authority does not have the right to refuse admission.

A Priority will be given to relevant looked after children who meet the academic requirements for the course. A "relevant looked after child" - as defined by the regulations - means “a child who is looked after by a local authority in accordance with section 22 of the Children Act 1989 at the time an application for admission to a school is made, and who the local authority has confirmed will still be looked after at the time when admitted to the school”.

B Students who meet the academic requirements for the level of course applied for, as published in the school prospectus.

43 Appendix D

¹Available places are those places available after existing students in the school have indicated their preference against their entitlement.

Tie Breaker

Priority will be given within any of the above oversubscription criteria to the applicant whose permanent home address is nearest to the school in terms of radial distance. Distances will be measured consistently, using the local authority computerised mapping system and the distance will be measured as a straight line between the Land Property Gazetteer address points for the respective home address and school.

Where the school is oversubscribed, further information will be required to verify the home address e.g. council tax or utility bill.

• Waiting Lists

A waiting list will not be held.

• Late Applications

If an application is received after the deadline and before the date parents are notified of places, this will be considered ‘late’. Late applications will be considered after the allocation of places and notified after the main allocation date, unless exceptional circumstances apply, e.g. hospitalisation of a parent or a family has just moved into the area. In such instances, evidence will be required.

• Applications received after the normal admissions round

Applications received after the start of the school year will only be considered if places on the requested courses are available and the student meets the academic requirements of the course.

• Multiple births or children with birth dates in the same academic year

Application for places is based on meeting the individual requirements of the course. No guarantee of a place is given to students with either the same birth dates or children born in the same academic year from the same family.

• Accepting or declining the offer of a place

Places are offered on the understanding that there is a commitment to meet the academic requirements of the course.

Parents are required to accept or decline the allocated place using the form sent with the allocation letter. The form must be returned to the school within two weeks from the date of the offer letter. Failure to respond may result in the place being withdrawn. Parents are requested to advise the school at any stage, if they are not accepting the place for any reason.

• Appeals Parents of students, internal or external, who are not offered a place, have the right to appeal against non-admission.

44 Appendix F

Consultation to change the Jennetts Park School Designated Area

This is a consultation to seek to change the designated area for the Jennetts Park area from The Brakenhale School to Easthampstead Park School. It also seeks to change Jennetts Park Primary School from being a feeder school to The Brakenhale School to Easthampstead Park School.

Background

The plan to build a new school at Jennetts Park was part of the original design for a new housing development in Bracknell. Part of the agreement to build the new homes was that a new school would be built.

The Department for Children Schools and Families require that a competition is held to determine who will run the new school. This competition was organised by the Local Authority for parents and the local community. The Oxford Diocese won this competition, stating that this will be a school for the community.

After the original plans were drawn up the housing market slumped with the recession and changes in the demographics of Bracknell have been seen. The build programme of the school was put back. The school is planned to be a 2 form entry school phased in over a few years. The school was originally planned to open in 2010 but will now open in 2011 as one form entry, eventually moving to a 2 form entry as house builds increase.

Changes to Demographics

There has been an increase in house building in the designated area of Brakenhale including the Staff College, and the land sale of The Brakenhale School. This had led to an increase in the number of families living in Brakenhale’s designated area. However the same cannot be said for Easthampstead Park Schools designated area.

Further analysis has shown that those families with children living in the designated area of Easthampstead Park and Brakenhale are as below:

Current Numbers of children in primary school in the following secondary designated areas

Year Group EP - PAN 240 Brakenhale - PAN 194 -1 175 242 0 238 336 1 224 275 2 180 219 3 179 238 4 199 237

The above table shows that in the next six years starting with the intake years as the school opens there are significantly more children living in Brakenhales designated area than Easthampstead Park. This would put pressure on designated area places

45 28/09/09 Appendix F at Brakenhale whilst leaving Easthampstead Park under subscribed from designated area applicants.

In order to ensure that there are sufficient local school places for children in this area there are 2 options:

Option 1

• Leave it as it is and hope the numbers change or that parental preference does not cause a pressure on places. (see map appendix 1)

Option 2

• Change the designated area of Jennetts Park from Brakenhale School to Easthampstead Park (see map Appendix A). This would also mean that Jennetts Park Primary School would be a feeder to Easthampstead Park School which would be in line with Great Hollands Primary School which has been the designated area primary school for those families on Jennetts Park prior to the building of the schools. It will ensure that the school will be serving the local community where the children live and encourage a walk to school policy.

In order to comment on this proposal please see the main consultation document.

46 28/09/09 HA RD. GES CLO S MARK RW

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48 Agenda Item 6

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS FORUM 8 DECEMBER 2009 ______

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS FORUM - CONSTITUTION Director of Corporate Services

1 PURPOSE OF DECISION

1.1 To invite the Forum to approve a number of further changes to its constitution.

2 RECOMMENDATION(S)

2.1 That the revised Constitution for the Bracknell Forest School Admissions Forum as set out in Appendix 1 of this report be approved.

2.2 That Robert Elsey be re-appointed as a representative of community and voluntary controlled schools until November 2013.

3 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS

Borough Solicitor

3.1 Nothing to add to the report.

Borough Treasurer

3.2 Nothing to add to the report.

Equalities Impact Assessment

3.3 There are no issues arising directly from this report.

Strategic Risk Management Issues

3.4 There are no issues arising directly from this report.

4 SUPPORTING INFORMATION

4.1 On 19 June 2009, the Forum considered a report relating to the new School Admissions Code and its implications for the Forum itself. Whilst the Forum approved a revised constitution, this did not take full account of the revised requirements of the Code and the School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admission Forums) (England) Regulations 2008. In the circumstances, the Forum is asked to approved a revised constitution which is fully compliant with the regulations and code.

4.2 The three main changes to the Admission Forums system arising from the new regulations are:

• To change the membership of Admission Forums to make them smaller, more manageable advisory groups that represent the interests of the local area;

49 • To change the focus of Admission Forums so they consider the fairness rather than the legality of proposed admission arrangements; and

• To simplify regulations for Admission Forum reports to ensure that they do not duplicate the statutory report on admissions arrangements by the local authority.

Membership of the Forum

4.3 Regulations now require no more than 20 members that reflect the types of schools in the area, representatives from each faith group represented by schools in the area, parent and community representatives, local authority representatives, local employers, armed forces and choice advisers. Most significantly, the new regulations stipulate that the Forum should include “at least one parent member” rather than parent governor representatives. This does not mean that parent governor representatives may not apply for this role, but that the opportunity now exists for all parents to either nominate themselves or be nominated for election to the Forum. Whilst the regulations state “at least one”, the proposed constitution suggests that this Forum should provide places for a primary and secondary member. If this is approved, it is proposed to advertise on the Council’s website for interested parents to come forward to seek election to these places. At the time of the last meeting, there was a vacancy for a secondary representative. Since that meeting, the primary school representative, Glenn Ford, has sadly passed away.

4.4 The Forum should also be aware that the new regulations provide for the schools groups to be represented by either a headteacher or a governor. Robert Elsey’s appointment as one of the community and voluntary controlled schools representatives had expired but the secondary headteachers have notified the Council that they have unanimously agreed that Mr Elsey should serve for a further four year term.

4.5 Another significant change to the membership is that only two of the members may be local authority representatives. The constitution approved in May included 5 representatives who are either members or officers. Henceforth, Alan Kendall and David Watkins will represent the local authority with Lesley Adams assuming the role as lead officer, advising the Forum as an officer rather than being a voting member.

4.6 The new regulations also provide for representatives from other sectors of the local community not otherwise represented. The Code suggests representatives of local employers and choice advisors, in addition to service personnel who are already represented on the Forum by Olivia Denson. If the Forum accepts the proposed constitution, officers will seek an employers’ representative and a choice adviser to join the Forum.

Role of the Forum

4.7 New regulations change the role and constitution of Admission Forums to improve their effectiveness making them into smaller, manageable advisory groups that concentrate on the fairness - rather than legality - of admissions arrangements within the local area, and ensure that they have an ongoing role as consultees in local admission arrangements.

50 The Admission Forum Report

4.5 The Education and Skills Act 2008 places a new duty on local authorities to produce an annual report on admission arrangements in their area. The duty will ensure that reports are received from every local authority, to ensure that the Schools Adjudicator can consider them on a consistent basis. This means that a Forum may decide to endorse the authority’s report rather than producing its own voluntary report. The new duty is intended to place a clearer duty on local authorities to check the fairness, legality and effectiveness of admissions arrangements in their areas as part of their role in monitoring compliance with the School Admissions Code and admissions legislation. Producing a report is also in line with their general duty to ensure fair access to educational opportunity. It is intended that the Council’s report will be submitted to the Forum henceforth for endorsement.

Revised Constitution

4.6 The revised Constitution appended to this report is based on Parts 3 and 4 of the School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admissions Forums) (England) Regulations 2008

Background Papers School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admissions Forums) (England) Regulations 2008

Contact for further information Derek Morgan, Corporate Services: 01344 352044 [email protected]

Doc. Ref council-and-non-executive-committee-report-template (November 2008)

APPENDIX 1

BRACKNELL FOREST SCHOOL ADMISSIONS FORUM

CONSTITUTION

1 BACKGROUND

1.1 Section 85A of the School Standards and Framework Act (SSFA) requires all local authorities to establish an Admissions Forum. The School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admissions Forums) (England) Regulations 2008 set out the constitution, membership and proceedings for the Forum.

1.2 Admission Forums have a key role in ensuring a fair admissions system that promotes social equity and must, under Section 84 of the SSFA 1998, act in accordance with the School Admissions Code. Part of the Forum’s role is to advise local authorities and admission authorities on matters relating to school admissions – any advice given by the Forum must be made available to any person with an interest.

1.3 Admission Forums provide a vehicle for admission authorities and other key interested parties to discuss the effectiveness of local admission arrangements, consider how to deal with difficult admission issues and advise admission authorities on ways in which their arrangements can be improved. Their main focus is to consider the fairness of arrangements in their local context. Admission authorities of all maintained schools, when exercising their functions, must have regard to any advice offered by the Forum. Local authorities may establish a joint forum with one or more other local authorities to consider and advise on admissions in more than one authority area.

2 ROLE OF THE BRACKNELL FOREST SCHOOL ADMISSIONS FORUM

2.1 The role of the forum is to consider and advise on the fairness of admission arrangements for schools in Bracknell Forest, and in particular:

(a) the extent to which the current admission arrangements in the area serve the interests of looked after children, children with disabilities and children with special educational needs;

(b) the effectiveness of any fair access protocol in place in the area;

(c) the effectiveness of any scheme for co-ordinating admission arrangements made or adopted under section 88M(1) of the SSFA in the area and, where relevant, any adjoining local authority area; and,

(d) details of any other matters which affect the fair operation of admission arrangements for relevant schools in the area.

2.2 The forum must:

(a) advise the authority and the governing bodies of all voluntary aided and foundation schools in the area by 30 November each year which persons or

52 bodies in the area the forum considers have an interest in proposed admission arrangements for the purposes of regulation 12(2)(h) of the Admission Arrangements Regulations;

(b) consider and advise on any proposed qualifying scheme for the co-ordination of admission arrangements referred to it by the authority pursuant to regulation 5 of the School Admissions (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2008;

(c) consider admission arrangements referred to it under regulation 12(2)(f) of the Admission Arrangements Regulations for the purposes of consultation and must consider whether to exercise its power to refer an objection to any such arrangements to the adjudicator pursuant to section 88H(2) of the SSFA;

(d) consider any composite prospectus published by the authority and advise the authority on whether this might be improved to raise the standard of information provided to parents; and,

(e) consider whether to produce a report for the purposes of section 85A(1A) of the SSFA.

Advice and recommendations of the forum

2.3 The forum must promulgate its advice and recommendations produced under regulation 16(1) of the School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admissions Forums) (England) Regulations 2008 for the purposes of section 85A(1) of the SSFA to all admission authorities, maintained schools, academies, city technology colleges or city colleges for the technology of the arts within the area, and must make that advice available to any other persons with an interest.

3 MEMBERSHIP

3.1 The forum must comprise no more than 20 members, appointed by the authority in accordance with regulations 8 and 9 of the School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admissions Forums) (England) Regulations 2008, and must include:

(a) at least one representative of each of the following schools which are in the area:

(i) community schools,

(ii) voluntary controlled schools,

(iii) voluntary aided schools,

(b) one representative from each body or person representing the religion or religious denomination of any foundation or voluntary schools or Academies in the area which are designated as having a religious character by an order under section 69(3) or section 124B of the SSFA;

53 (d) at least one person who appears to the members appointed under sub- paragraphs (a) to (c) to represent the interests of any section of the community in the relevant area, and who is not eligible for appointment as a member under any of those sub-paragraphs.

3.2 Members falling within paragraph 3.1(a) must be either the head teacher or a governor (other than a governor who is appointed to the governing body by the authority and is a member of the authority) and must be appointed following a nomination by the governing body of a maintained school within the relevant area.

3.3 Members falling within paragraph 3.1(b) must be appointed following a nomination by the relevant body or person prescribed in relation to the religion or religious denomination in regulation 12(7) of the Admission Arrangements Regulations.

3.4 Members falling within paragraph 3.1(c) must be resident in the relevant area, and the parent of a child who:

(a) has attained the age of two and is receiving primary education, or

(b) is of compulsory school age

at the time of their appointment.

3.5 Members falling within paragraph 3.1(d) must be appointed following a recommendation by the members appointed under paragraphs 3.1(a) to (c).

3.6 The present composition of the Bracknell Forest School Admissions Forum is attached as Appendix A.

Tenure of Membership

3.7 No person may be appointed as a member for a fixed period exceeding 4 years but on ceasing to be members of the forum, are eligible for reappointment.

3.8 A member must vacate office:

(a) where the person was appointed under paqragraph 3.1(a), if they cease to be a head teacher or governor of a school falling within that paragraph;

(b) where the person was appointed under paragraph 3.1(b), if the body who nominated the member are of the opinion that the member should no longer be a member of the forum and notify the secretary accordingly;

(c) where the person was appointed under paragraph 3.1(c), if they cease to be a parent member within the meaning of regulation 8(4) of the School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admissions Forums) (England) Regulations;

(d) where the person was appointed under paragraph 3.1(d), if the authority, following a recommendation from the members appointed under regulation 3.1(a) to (c), are of the opinion that the member should no longer be a member of the forum, and

54 (e) every member of a forum must vacate office if the forum is dissolved pursuant to regulation 15(2) of the School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admissions Forums) (England) Regulations.

Alternative (Substitute) Members

3.9 Subject to paragraphs 3.10-3.13, any member of a forum may, by giving written notice to the secretary, nominate an alternate member to attend meetings of the forum in their absence, and such nomination remains effective until it is withdrawn.

3.10 A member appointed under paragraph 3.1(a) may only nominate an alternate member who is a head teacher or governor of a school which falls within the same sub-paragraph of that paragraph as the school of which the member in question is a governor or head teacher.

3.11 A member appointed under paragraph 3.1(b) may not nominate an alternate member unless the person or body by which the member was nominated consents to the proposed nomination.

3.12 A member appointed under paragraph 3.1(c) may only nominate an alternate member who is a parent within the meaning of that regulation.

3.13 A member appointed under paragraph 3.1(d) may not nominate an alternate member unless the authority consents to the proposed nomination.

Election to office

3.14 At the first meeting of a forum and each meeting referred to in paragraph 3.15 the members must elect two members of the forum to be the chair and vice-chair.

3.15 Subject to paragraph 3.16, the chair and vice-chair hold office as such until the next meeting which falls after the date which is a year after the meeting at which they were elected, and on ceasing to hold office are eligible for re-election.

3.16 A person ceases to hold office as the chair or vice-chair:

(i) on ceasing to be a member of the forum, or

(ii) if they resign office by written notice given to the secretary.

3.17 In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the office of chair or vice-chair the members must at their next meeting elect one of their members to fill that vacancy and a member so elected holds office until the date of the meeting at which the chair or vice-chair would have held office had the vacancy not occurred.

Quorum

3.18 A quorum is achieved when at least one quarter of the membership is present at a meeting of the Forum. Although inquorate meetings of the Forum may proceed, they will be considered to be informal and the local authority and schools will not be obliged to have regard to advice or recommendations arising from such meetings.

55 4 SECRETARY

4.1 Secretarial support for Forum meetings will be provided by the Democratic Services Section of the Council’s Corporate Services Department.

5 MEETINGS

5.1 Subject to any provision within the School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admissions Forums) (England) Regulations, the members may regulate the procedures of the forum.

5.2 The forum must meet at least twice each year.

5.3 It is the duty of the secretary or, in the absence of the secretary, of the authority, to notify every member at least one week in advance of the time and place of each meeting.

5.4 In any vote regarding the exercise of a forum’s power to refer an objection to the adjudicator pursuant to section 88H of the SSFA, the vote must be carried by a simple majority of those members present and, in the case of an equality of votes the chair, or in the absence of the chair, the vice-chair has a second or casting vote.

5.5 The Forum’s meetings shall be open to the press and public and associated agenda papers shall be available for public inspection except on occasions when it is considered expedient to treat agenda papers with confidentiality and to agree a motion requiring the exclusion of the press and public from meetings.

6 SUB COMMITTEES

6.1 Where a sub-committee is established, pursuant to section 85A(2) of the SSFA, the forum is responsible for determining the sub-committee’s:

(a) membership and constitution;

(b) procedure for convening and holding of meetings; and

7 JOINT FORUMS

7.1 Subject to paragraph 7.2 the local authority may establish a joint forum with one or more other local authorities.

7.2 If the authority, having established a forum, subsequently decides to establish a joint forum in accordance with paragraph 7.1, the existing forum must be dissolved before a joint forum is constituted.

ANNEX

BRACKNELL FOREST SCHOOL ADMISSIONS FORUM – MEMBERSHIP

SCHOOLS (COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY CONTROLLED)

Robert Elsey Headteacher, Edgbarrow School

(Secondary, Community)

Vacancy

(Primary, Voluntary controlled)

Alan Harding Headteacher, Birch Hill Primary School

(Primary, Community)

SCHOOLS (VOLUNTARY AIDED)

Vacancy

CHURCH OF ENGLAND DIOCESAN BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

Gordon Anderson Oxford DBE

ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE REPRESENTATIVES

Vacancy Roman Catholic Church Diocese of Portsmouth

PARENT MEMBER(S)

Vacancy Primary School Parent Member

Vacancy Secondary School Parent Member

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Vacancy Early Years, Childcare & Play Partnership

Olivia Denson Children’s Education Advisory Service,

LOCAL AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVES

Alan Kendall Executive Member for Education and Libraries

Jean Hobson Special Education Needs Manager

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58 Agenda Item 7

SEN Report for School Admissions Forum 8th December 2009

• The Local Authority’s arrangements for the admission of pupils with SEN reflect the guidance set out in the Schools Admissions Code and SEN Code of Practice. • All schools have acted in accordance with Section 324 of the Education Act 1996 in admitting pupils with a statement of special education needs naming their school.

Phase transfer Where a pupil has a statement, future school placements are considered initially as part of the Annual Review of the statement in the year preceding transfer. These discussions involve the parent/carer and, wherever possible, the pupil. In most instances, it is possible to determine at this time the type of schooling that will be appropriate on transfer, taking into account advice from all professionals involved.

For primary and secondary transfers, the SEN Team writes to parents of pupils with statements of SEN in the Autumn Term prior to transfer, proposing changes to the statement and asking parents to confirm their choice of primary/secondary school.

The Local Authority considers all parental preferences in accordance with Schedule 27 and Section 316 of the Education Act 1996.

“Parents may express a preference for the maintained school (but not a PRU or hospital special school) they wish their child to attend, or make representations for a placement in any other school. LEAs must comply with a parental preference unless: • the school is unsuitable to the child’s age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs, or • the placement would be incompatible with the efficient education of the other children with whom the child would be educated, or • the placement would be incompatible with the efficient use of LA resources. LEAs must consider parental representations and arrange any meeting(s) with LEA advisers or officers the parents seek, before issuing the final statement.” See Schedule 27 Education Act 1996

“Unless a parent indicates that they do not want their child educated in a mainstream school (whether by expressing a preference or making representation for a particular school or otherwise), an LEA must ensure that a child is educated in a mainstream school unless that is incompatible with the efficient education of other children.” See Section 316 Education Act 1996

Consultation with receiving schools is managed in line with the guidance of the SEN Code of Practice 8.80 – 8.86, with reference to Schedule 27 of the Education Act 1996.

The SEN Team has worked closely with the School Admissions Team to ensure that, where appropriate, school places for pupils with statements are allocated in line with parental preference. In September 2009, all pupils with statements of SEN were allocated their preferred school at primary and secondary transfer.

59 The Local Authority defended one appeal to the SEN Tribunal in respect of the secondary school named in Part 4 of the statement. In this instance, the Tribunal found in favour of the parent in naming an independent school.

The Authority is mindful that not all pupils with SEN have a statement and uses School Census data to monitor numbers of pupils with SEN in schools across the borough.

Jean Hobson SEN Team Manager

60 Agenda Item 8

Looked After Children School Admissions Bracknell Forest Borough Council

The LACES team (Looked After Children’s Education Service) works very closely with the social care teams and the schools admission team to ensure appropriate school placements for Bracknell Forest looked after children (LAC).

The DCSF School Admission Code (2009) is meticulously followed particularly since it gives LAC the highest priority in terms of school admission:

• LACES notify the admissions team of pending LAC admissions. This is a two- way communication – the admission team will often liaise with LACES re LAC queries

• LAC are placed top of the list for primary places and at secondary transfer

• When transferring at other times during the school year, LAC are given the highest priority in schools’ oversubscriptions criteria (section 2.9)

• In the unlikely event of a dispute "direction" will be used as a final resort as and when appropriate (section 3.35)

• In Bracknell Forest transfer is normally affected by negotiation with appropriate partners. Usually with a LAC transfer there are specific circumstances of which a receiving school needs to be aware. It is at this stage that if necessary, an early offer of support from the LACES team is made

The LACES team has excellent relationships with Bracknell Forest schools and the admissions team. Headteachers and Designated Teachers are fully aware of the importance of a stable and supportive education for this incredibly vulnerable group of youngsters. They are invariably responsive to admission requests from either LACES or the School Admission Team.

Tony Mansfield Education Co-ordinator LACES team November 2009 [email protected]

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