Draft Protocol for Cabinet Reports
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SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL Cabinet Report 10 Report of: Dr. Sonia Sharp, Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families ______________________________________________________________ Date: 21 March 2012 ______________________________________________________________ Subject: School Admission Arrangements for the Academic Year 2013/14 ______________________________________________________________ Author of Report: John Bigley – 273 4097 ______________________________________________________________ Summary: School Admissions (Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2008 place a statutory duty on the Children and Young People’s Service to determine its admission arrangements. This report presents the recommended arrangements for the 2013/14 academic year for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools, including co-ordinated admission schemes. _____________________________________________________________ Reasons for Recommendations: The following recommendations will ensure that the City Council complies with its statutory duty with regard to setting its admission arrangements for 2013/14 Recommendations: 20.1 Note the provisions of the new statutory Admissions Code of Practice 20.2 Approve the proposed admission arrangements for statutory school aged pupils for the 2013/14 academic year. 20.3 Approve the publication of these arrangements in the booklet “A Guide for Parents 2013/14 – A Composite Prospectus” 20.4 Approve the Primary and Secondary Co-ordinated Admission Schemes for the 2013/14 Academic Year, including the recommendation to continue co-ordination for in-year admissions. 20.5 Approve the extension of the Admission Forum for the 2013/14 academic year and delegate authority to the Director of Legal Services to invite representation from those bodies not represented. 20.6 Approve the Sixth Form Admission arrangements for external applications Background Papers: Statutory Admission Code of Practice Category of Report: OPEN If Closed add – ‘Not for publication because it contains exempt information under Paragraph… of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).’ Statutory and Council Policy Checklist Financial Implications YES Cleared by: Laura Pattman Legal Implications YES Cleared by: Nadine Wynter Equality of Opportunity Implications Yes Cleared by: Bashir Khan Tackling Health Inequalities Implications NO Human rights Implications NO: Environmental and Sustainability implications NO Economic impact NO Community safety implications NO Human resources implications NO Property implications NO Area(s) affected All Relevant Cabinet Portfolio Leader Cllr. Jackie Drayton Relevant Scrutiny Committee if decision called in Children, Young People and Families Is the item a matter which is reserved for approval by the City Council? YES Press release YES/NO Report to Cabinet 21 March 2012 Children, Young People and Families Service School Admission Arrangements for the Academic Year 2013/14 1. Summary 1.1 This report is in response to the statutory requirement to consult on the City Council’s admission arrangements. The report provides details of the proposed arrangements for managing admissions and prioritizing admission to oversubscribed schools, for the 2013/14 academic year. The admission procedures aim to contribute to the specific corporate ambition of supporting “Successful young people” by assisting parents to access their preferred schools and especially to assist carers access places for children in public care quickly. Children achieve better when they are happy at school. Attendance rates are higher and children are provided with the best opportunity to be active and engaged. The Authority’s Sixth Form admission policy provides an opportunity for young people to remain engaged in education beyond the statutory school leaving age. These proposed admission procedures aim to significantly contribute to “Raising attainment and aspiration”, improve outcomes for “Looked After Children” contribute to the creation of “safe, healthy and strong families” 1.2 The City Council retains its catchment area policy which continues to receive strong support from parents. This in turn this helps to create and sustain strong communities and a sense of identity within neighbourhoods. 1.3 The timetable for consultation on the admission arrangements and co- ordinated schemes is as follows: November/December 2011 Consultation on the proposed admission arrangements and co-ordinated schemes with Community, Voluntary Aided, Trust and Foundation Schools, Academies and neighbouring Authorities. Consultation with parents of all children aged 2-16 years. November 2011 Presentation of arrangements to the statutory Admission Forum for final consideration. The Local Authority must have regard to any advice or recommendations of the Forum 1 January 2012 Local Authority must determine co-ordinated schemes for 2013/14 29 February 2012 Consideration of admission arrangements and co- ordinated schemes by Cabinet March/April 2012 Adoption of schemes by neighbouring Authorities Adoption of schemes by Voluntary Aided, Trust and Foundation schools and Academies. 15 April 2012 The Secretary of State must be provided with a copy of the co-ordinated schemes for 2013/14 by 15 April. Failure to agree schemes will result in one being imposed on the Authority and its neighouring Authorities. 1 Report to Cabinet 21 March 2012 Children, Young People and Families Service 1.3 The Cabinet is requested to consider the recommendations made at Paragraph 20 of this report. 2. What does this mean for Sheffield people? 2.1 Applying for school places can be a very stressful procedure for parents and the Authority aims to ensure that as many children as possible are offered places at their preferred school. The procedures set out the way that parents can apply for school places and looks to maximize choice and opportunity. The City Council’s admission arrangements contribute to the Corporate Plan “Standing up for Sheffield” by enabling and empowering parents, carers and young people to have a voice in the type of school they wish to attend. 2.2 No Admission Authority can guarantee that all parents can access places at their school of first preference. These arrangements do however enable the vast majority of parents to obtain places at their first preference school and a significant number to obtain places at their second or third preferred school. Parents are provided with comprehensive advice and guidance to enable them to make informed decisions to achieve the best outcomes for their children. Catchment areas remain popular amongst parents with 78.7% being allocated places at their catchment area school for the secondary transfer in September 2011. Details about specific outcomes for September 2011 are provided at paragraph 4.2. 3. Outcomes and Sustainability 3.1 The Authority operates under the provisions of the statutory Admission Code of Practice which aims to provide local communities with a greater voice when it comes to issues such as school places and the types of schools they want for their children. 3.2 Sheffield residents are treated fairly and equitably. The Authority ensures that all schools comply with the rules laid down by the Code of Practice. 3.3 The Local Authority co-ordinates applications with other Admission Authorities on behalf of parents so that they only have to make a single application. The Local Authority is also the body that makes a single offer to the parent, ensuring transparency and consistency. 2 Report to Cabinet 21 March 2012 Children, Young People and Families Service 4. Main Report 4.1 The Authority’s admission arrangements fully comply with the requirements of the statutory School Admissions Code of Practice. 4.2 The existing arrangements and co-ordinated schemes produce extremely positive outcomes for parents. For the September 2011 entry to secondary school 93.8% of parents secured places at their first preferred secondary school, this compares with 86.4% nationally. A further 4.8% secured places at their second or third preference. In other words 98.6% of all parents were offered a place for their children at one of their three preferred secondary schools. For the September 2011 entry to Reception 91.9% of first preferences were met and a further 6% of second and third preferences were satisfied. Finally for the 2011 transfer to separate Junior schools 98% of applicants were allocated their first preference and 1% secured their second and third preference schools. 4.3 The Local Authority assesses the admission arrangements and co- ordinated schemes to identify any possible barriers to families accessing the services. Action has been taken to overcome possible barriers such as language or a lack of understanding of the system. Additionally, the Admissions Service monitors the return of application forms and outcomes by ethnicity. 4.4 Sheffield Park, Sheffield Springs, Parkwood High and Yewlands Academies will continue to apply the same admission arrangements and oversubscription criteria as Sheffield City Council for the 2013/14 academic year, as will Meadowhead, Chaucer, Firth Park and Westfield Trust Schools. 4.5 The Governing Body of Forge Valley Community Foundation School has agreed that it will retain the Local Authority’s admission arrangements at statutory school age for 2013/14 academic year. 4.6 The Authority’s proposed arrangements have been considered and endorsed by the local Admission Forum. 5. New Statutory Admission Code 5.1 The Government introduced a new Admission Code of Practice on 1