CITY AND COUNTY OF DINAS A SIR CAERDYDD

COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL 6 APRIL 2000

CABINET PROPOSAL AGENDA ITEM 7

Admission Arrangements 2001/2002

Background

1. The Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) Regulations 1999 requires the County Council to review the Schools Admissions Policy annually. All consultation had to be completed by 1 March 2000 and the policy must be determined by the Council by 15 April 2000 for implementation in September 2001.

2. The Committee of the Council of 10 February 2000 approved the County Council’s School Organisation Plan which identified the imbalance in the supply of school places in areas of Cardiff and stated the intention to address this issue by changing admission arrangements to community secondary schools.

3. The draft Schools Admissions Policy was issued for consultation on 11 January 2000 to headteachers, governing bodies, diocesan directors, neighbouring LEAs and other interested bodies. The consultation document detailed the proposal to replace the current first criterion of the transfer to secondary education arrangements (attendance at a linked primary school) with the requirement for residence within the catchment area of the .

4. The use of residence within catchment area as first priority is consistent with the admission policies of the majority of Welsh Councils.

5. The paper stated also that, as a consequence of the proposal to end primary-secondary admission linking arrangements, it had been necessary to propose amendments to the catchment areas of , , Radyr, Cantonian, Whitchurch and Cathays High Schools.

6. In Llanedeyrn, the changes would transfer the area covered by Bryn Celyn Primary School from the catchment area to

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 catchment area. In 1999, 4 children transferred from this school to Llanrumney High School and 28 to Llanedeyrn High School.

7. The Danescourt estate has been included in the Radyr Comprehensive Schoool catchment area. Previously parents were given the dual option of Radyr Comprehensive or . In 1999, parents of 46 pupils of Danescourt Junior School opted for Radyr Comprehensive and 1 pupil for Cantonian High School.

8. In Gabalfa, the proposed changes would transfer the area covered by Gabalfa Primary School from the catchment area to the Cathays High School catchment area. In 1999, 57 children transferred from this school to Whitchurch High School and no children transferred to Cathays High School.

Issues

9. Comments were received through the consultation process from:

The Headteachers/Governing Bodies of Gabalfa Primary School, Cathays High School, Whitchurch High School, and Church in Controlled Primary School Parents, residents, County Councillors and Assembly Members

A petition with over 1,100 signatures was received from parents/residents from the Gabalfa area.

10. The main responses were:

( i) The following objections to the removal of the primary-secondary admissions linking arrangements:

Friends will be separated after years together Brothers and sisters could be placed in different schools Arrangements should be phased in over number of years

(ii) The following objections to the transfer of the Gabalfa Primary School catchment area from Whitchurch High School to Cathays High School:

Unsafe route from Gabalfa to Cathays High School Strong links with Whitchurch High School Sufficient spaces to continue to accommodate children at Whitchurch High Loss of local high school (Glantaf) in the late 1970s The transfer of alternative primary schools should be considered

(iii) The Headteacher and Governing Body of Cathays High School have expressed their concern over the continuing fall in pupil numbers at the school.

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 (iv) No objections have been received from the Headteachers/Governing Bodies of Llanrumney High, Llanedeyrn High and Bryn Celyn Primary Schools, or Radyr Comprehensive, Cantonian High and Danescourt Junior Schools where changes to the catchment areas are proposed.

11. The Schools Admissions Policy 2001/2002 (See Appendix) has been amended as a result of the consultation as follows:

(i) The change to the first criterion has been retained as any delay in implementing this change in the admissions criteria could lead to the demand for additional accommodation for schools in the north of Cardiff. Parents should be made aware, however, of their right of appeal for their preferred school in accordance with the Council’s Admissions Policy.

(ii) The amendments to the catchment areas of Llanrumney, Llanedeyrn, Radyr and Cantonian High School have been retained as no objections were received.

(iii) The amendment to the catchment areas of Whitchurch and Cathays High Schools has been withdrawn.

12. Removing the proposal to change the catchment areas of Whitchurch High School and Cathays High School leaves the imbalance of numbers between these two schools. Other schools in the south of the city suffer from falling rolls with consequent detrimental effects on their school budgets. Furthermore the Council is preparing a draft Unitary Development Plan which will identify significant new green field and brown field housing development sites. These developments will impinge on the provision of school places over the next ten years. In the light of all these factors, there is a need to review both the provision of places and the admission arrangements and to prepare proposals which will address the issues identified.

ADVICE

This report has been prepared in consultation with Corporate Managers and reflects their collective advice. It contains all the information necessary to allow Members to arrive at a reasonable view, taking into account the advice contained in this section.

The Corporate Manager dealing with this report is Jeff Hobden.

Legal Implications

The Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) Regulations 1999 require Admission Authorities to consult and determine school admission arrangements annually.

Achievability

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 The implementation of the proposals will enable the Council to avoid providing additional accommodation at schools in the north of Cardiff and the consequent adverse implications on an already restricted capital budget.

Consequences

The proposals to amend the admission arrangements will assist in correcting the imbalance of the supply of school places in community secondary schools.

The proposal not to make changes to the catchment areas of Whitchurch and Cathays High Schools leaves an unresolved problem of over and under provision of school places in these areas.

BYRON DAVIES Chief Executive

9 March 2000

Background Papers

Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) Regulations 1999 School Organisation Plan 2000-2005 Welsh Office Circular 26/99- School Standards and Framework Act 1998: Guidance on the Preparation of School Organisation Plans Statutory Instrument 1671 – The Education (School Organisation Proposals (Wales) Regulations 1999

The following appendix is attached:- The Schools Admissions Policy 2001/2002

CABINET PROPOSALS

1. Committee of the Council approves the attached Schools Admissions Policy 2001/2002, so that the policy is determined by 15 April 2000 for implementation in September 2001. The amended policy:

(i) removes the current first criterion of the transfer to secondary education arrangements (attendance at a linked primary school)

(ii) states the new first criterion to be residence within the catchment area of the secondary school

(iii) amends the catchment areas of Llanrumney, Llanedeyrn, Radyr and Cantonian High Schools

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 (iv) confirms that no change will be made at this time to the catchment areas of Whitchurch and Cathays High Schools. 2. The Deputy Mayor (Schools and Lifelong Learning) prepares further proposals to address the issues identified in paragraph 12, and to bring forward a further report in due course.

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 SCHOOLS ADMISSIONS POLICY 2001 / 2002

CITY AND COUNTY OF CARDIFF

SCHOOLS SERVICE

CITY AND COUNTY OF CARDIFF – SCHOOLS SERVICE

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 SCHOOL ADMISSIONS POLICY: 2001/2002

RELEVANT AREA

In accordance with the Education (Relevant Areas for Consultation on Admission Arrangements) Regulations 1999, the relevant area for the Admission Authority is the administrative area of the Council for the City and County of Cardiff.

ADMISSIONS TO NURSERY SCHOOLS AND CLASSES

The County Council is the Admissions Authority for all maintained Community Nursery Schools and Classes.

Children normally take up a part-time place at a nursery school or class in the September following their third birthday.

It is normal for parents to approach the Headteacher of their preferred nursery school or class. On behalf of the Chief Schools Officer headteachers will accept pupils who must be three years old up to the approved capacity in accordance with the following priorities:

1. Children living locally who will be four years of age during the school year.

2. Other children who will be four years of age during the school year.

3. Children with exceptional medical or social need.

4. Other three year old children in accordance with chronological age (oldest children admitted first).

No account is taken of which infant or primary school the child is likely to attend subsequently or to the length of time the child’s name has been on the waiting list.

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 CITY AND COUNTY OF CARDIFF – SCHOOLS SERVICE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS POLICY: 2001/2002

ADMISSIONS TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS

The County Council is the Admissions Authority for all maintained Community Infant, Junior and Primary Schools and the Council is committed to providing local schools for local children where possible.

All admissions are approved by the Chief Schools Officer.

Children are normally admitted to reception classes in the September following their fourth birthday.

It is common practice for parents to approach the Headteacher of their preferred primary school. The headteacher will make a note of the request and admission arrangements will be advised during the Summer Term.

No firm guarantee can be given that the parent’s preference can be met in every case as requests for places in certain schools may exceed the number of places available. In addition the size of classes is limited by regulation to a maximum of 30 pupils.

In deciding upon admissions the County Council will consider each individual case on its merits applying the criteria in the order of priority set out below (but subject to the school’s standard number not being exceeded and the limitations imposed by class size regulations).

1. Pupils who are resident within the defined catchment area of the school. (There may be a requirement to provide evidence of residence.) (Where preferences exceed places available, the Council would give particular regard to the degree of proximity of the pupil’s home to the school, as measured by the shortest practicable walking route.)

2. Pupils not currently resident within the defined catchment area whose parents have satisfied the Council, by production of verifiable evidence that they will be taking up residence within the catchment area by the commencement of the school term to which the application relates.

3. Pupils in respect of whom the Council judges that there are compelling medical or compelling social grounds for their admission to a specified primary school. (Positive recommendations from social services or a medical consultant will normally be required in such cases.)

4. Pupils who have older brothers or sisters who will be on register at the school when they transfer. In considering siblings, the Council determines priority by reference to the age of

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 the pupil’s youngest sibling in the school, the youngest commanding the highest degree of priority.

5. In determining applications for admission in respect of other pupils in the age group, the Council gives particular regard to the degree of proximity of the pupil’s home to the school, as measured by the shortest practicable walking route.

6. Pupils whose premature admission to the school has been approved by the Council.

In cases where a parent’s application is initially refused, such application may, at the parent’s request, be reconsidered by the County Council. Cases will be considered individually against the above criteria and every effort will be made to see that parents’ wishes are respected.

However if parents are dissatisfied with the result of an application for a particular Community primary school, an appeal may be submitted to the Statutory Appeals Panel

Voluntary Controlled Primary School

In the case of St Mellons Voluntary Controlled Church in Wales Primary School, the Authority has agreed to delegate responsibility for admissions to the Governing Body. Application should therefore be made directly to the headteacher.

Junior Schools and Departments

Children enter junior schools and departments in the September following their seventh birthday and remain for four years. With one exception, each junior school is linked with an infant school (in most cases they are on the same site) and children normally transfer from their infant school to the linked junior school. Parents who prefer another junior school however should follow the procedure outlined above.

In many schools, the infant and junior sections are simply departments of the same school and children progress through the school from the infants to juniors without having to transfer elsewhere.

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 CITY AND COUNTY OF CARDIFF – SCHOOLS SERVICE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS POLICY: 2001/2002

ADMISSIONS TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The County Council is the Admissions Authority for all maintained Community Secondary Schools. All admissions are approved by the Chief Schools Officer.

Children normally transfer to secondary school in the September following their eleventh birthday.

In the Autumn Term parents of Year 6 pupils in Community Primary Schools are invited to nominate their preferred secondary school. Details are also provided of the local school to which their child would normally transfer.

Requests for places in certain schools far exceed the number of places available and therefore no firm guarantee can be given that the parent’s preference can be met in every case. However all requests are considered individually by the School Decisions Committee and the Committee does its best to see that, whenever possible, parental wishes are respected.

The County Council will make admissions (not exceeding the school’s standard number) having regard to the individual merits of each case, in accordance with the criteria and in the order of priority set out below:

1. Pupils in the promoting age group who are resident within the defined catchment area of the secondary school. (There may be a requirement to provide evidence of residence.) (Where preferences exceed places available, the Council would give particular regard to the degree of proximity of the pupil’s home to the school, as measured by the shortest practicable walking route.)

2. Pupils in the promoting age group not currently resident within the defined catchment area of the secondary school, but whose parents have satisfied the Council, by production of verifiable evidence that they will be taking up residence within the catchment area by the commencement of the school term to which the application relates.

3. Pupils in respect of whom the Council judges that there are compelling medical or compelling social grounds for their admission to a specified secondary school. (Positive recommendations from social services or a medical consultant will normally be required in such cases.)

4. Pupils who have older brothers or sisters who will be on register at the secondary school when they transfer. In considering siblings, the Council determines priority by reference to the age of the pupil’s youngest sibling in the secondary school, the youngest commanding the highest degree of priority.

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00

5. In determining applications for admission in respect of other pupils in the promoting age group, the Council gives particular regard to the degree of proximity of the pupil’s home to the secondary school, as measured by the shortest practicable walking route.

6. Pupils in a lower age group whose premature transfer to secondary education has been approved by the Council.

If parents are dissatisfied with the result of an application for a particular Community secondary school, an appeal may be submitted to the Statutory Appeals Panel.

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITHIN THEIR CATCHMENT AREAS

SECONDARY SCHOOL PRIMARY SCHOOL

Cantonian Fairwater Pentrebane Peter Lea Llandaff C/W

Cardiff Lakeside Rhydypenau Roath Park

Cathays Albany Allensbank Gladstone Viriamu Jones St Monica’s C/W

Fitzalan Grangetown Kitchener Lansdowne Mount Stuart Ninian Park Radnor Severn St Mary Virgin C/W St Paul’s C/W

Glan Ely Herbert Thompson Hywel Dda Windsor Clive

Glyn Derw Cwrt yr Ala Millbank Trelai

Llanedeyrn Bryn Celyn Glyncoed Llanedeyrn Marlborough Springwood All Saints C/W St David’s C/W

Llanishen Cefn Onn

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 Coed Glas Llanishen Fach(Thornhill residents) Llysfaen Thornhill Ton yr Ywen

SECONDARY SCHOOL PRIMARY SCHOOL

Llanrumney Bryn Hafod Glan yr Afon Meadowlane Pen y Bryn Willowbrook Bishop Childs C/W St Mellons C/W

Radyr Bryn Deri Creigiau Danescourt Gwaelod y Garth Pentyrch Radyr Tongwynlais

Rumney Greenway Oakfield Rumney Trowbridge

Whitchurch Birchgrove Coryton Eglwys Newydd Eglwys Wen Gabalfa Hawthorn Llanishen Fach(excluding Thornhill residents) Rhiwbeina

Willows Adamsdown Baden Powell Moorland Stacey Tredegarville C/W

Ysgol Glantaf Y Bro Eirwg

C:\TEMP\cab29 - admissions.doc 31/03/00 Y Melin Gruffydd Y Mynydd Bychan Y Y Wern

Ysgol Plasmawr Y Coed y Gof Y Creigiau Y Gwaelod y Garth Y Pencae Y Pwll Coch Y Treganna

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