Issue - meetings

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNTY COUNCIL:

Recommendation 1

That a feeder link is introduced for Auriol Junior School for children attending The Mead Infant School for September 2015, as follows:

a)    Looked after and previously looked after children

b)    Exceptional social/medical need

c)    Children attending The Mead Infant School

d)    Siblings not admitted under c) above

e)    Any other children

Reasons for Recommendation

·         It would provide continuity and a clearer transition for parents, children and schools and would reduce anxiety for parents

·         It would be in line with the criteria that exist for most other schools which have a feeder link and reciprocal sibling links

·         It would enable families to benefit from a sibling link for Reception even if they had a child who was due to leave the infant school before the younger child was admitted

·         It would maximise the opportunity for families to keep children together or at schools within close proximity

·         It is consistent with Surrey’s planning principles set out in the School Organisation Plan

·         It is supported by the Headteacher and Governing Body of the school

·         There was overall support for this proposal

·         Eligibility to transport is not linked to the admission criteria of a school and as such attendance at The Mead Infant School would not confer an automatic right to transport to Auriol Junior School

Recommendation 2

That tiered sibling criteria are introduced for Reigate Priory for September 2015, as follows:

a)    Looked after and previously looked after children

b)    Exceptional social/medical need

c)    Siblings for whom the school is the nearest to their home address

d)    Non-siblings for whom the school is the nearest to their home address

e)    Other siblings for whom the school is not the nearest to their home address

f)     Any other children

Reasons for Recommendation

·         It would help ensure that a school within a reasonable distance could be offered to all children within the area

·         Whilst the nature of this proposal means that some families might not be able to get younger siblings in to the same school, this would only apply if it is not their nearest school

·         The pressure on places means that on balance a greater disadvantage might be caused to local families than to future siblings if this proposal is not agreed 

·         There was overall support for this proposal

·         It reduces the likelihood of local families having to travel to schools that are further away

Recommendation 3

That a feeder link is introduced for St Ann’s Heath Junior School for children attending Meadowcroft Infant School for September 2015, in addition to the existing feeder link with Trumps Green Infant School, as follows:

a)    Looked after and previously looked after children

b)    Exceptional social/medical need

c)    Siblings

d)    Children attending Trumps Green Infant School or Meadowcroft Infant School

e)    Children for whom St Ann’s Heath Junior School is the nearest school with a Junior PAN

f)     Any other children

Reasons for Recommendation

·         It would provide continuity and a clearer transition for parents, children  ...  view the full decision text for item 33

Following the statutory consultation on proposed changes to Surrey’s admission arrangements for September 2015, Cabinet was asked to consider the responses and make recommendations to the County Council on admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools and Surrey’s coordinated schemes for September 2015.

The report covered the following areas in relation to school admissions:

·         Auriol Junior School (Stoneleigh, Ewell) - Recommendation 1

·         Reigate Priory School (Reigate) – Recommendation 2

·         St Ann’s Heath Junior School (Virginia Water) – Recommendation 3 

·         Meadowcroft Infant School (Chertsey) and St Ann’s Heath Junior School (Virginia Water) – Recommendation 4

·         Thames Ditton Infant and Thames Ditton Junior schools (Thames Ditton) – Recommendation 5

·         Admission criteria for two year olds applying for nursery - Recommendation 6

·         Esher CofE High School (Esher) – Recommendation 7

·         St Andrew’s CofE (Controlled) Infant School (Farnham) – Recommendation 8

·         Published Admission Number for Year 3 at The Dawnay School (Great Bookham) – Recommendation 9

·         Published Admission Number for Reception at North Downs Primary School (Brockham) – Recommendation 10 

·         Own admission authority schools to be used in the assessment of ‘nearest school’ – Recommendation 11

·         Out of County schools not to be used in the assessment of ‘nearest school’ – Recommendation 12

·         Published Admission Numbers for other community and voluntary controlled schools – Recommendation 13

·         Admission arrangements for other community and voluntary controlled schools – Recommendation 14

·         Coordinated Admissions Schemes – Recommendation 15

The Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning presented the report and said it was a complex and lengthy report. She highlighted the proposed arrangements for Reigate Priory School (recommendation 2) and the proposals for Esher High School, which would be subject to Hinchley Wood School also agreeing changes to their admission arrangements (recommendation 7).

Cabinet Members were given an opportunity to comment on the proposals.

The Leader of the Council asked the Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, who confirmed that the Equalities Impact Assessment was comprehensive.

He also reminded Members that these recommendations would be considered by the County Council at its meeting on 18 March 2014.

Finally, he thanks the Principal Manager Admissions and Transport (Strategy) and her team for an excellent report.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNTY COUNCIL:

Recommendation 1

That a feeder link is introduced for Auriol Junior School for children attending The Mead Infant School for September 2015, as follows:

a)    Looked after and previously looked after children

b)    Exceptional social/medical need

c)    Children attending The Mead Infant School

d)    Siblings not admitted under c) above

e)    Any other children

Reasons for Recommendation

·         It would provide continuity and a clearer transition for parents, children and schools and would reduce anxiety for parents

·         It would be in line with the criteria that exist for most other schools which have a feeder link and reciprocal sibling links

·         It would enable families to benefit from a sibling link for Reception even if they had a child who was due to leave the infant school before the younger child was admitted

·         It would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33