Decision details

ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURREY’S COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY CONTROLLED SCHOOLS FOR SEPTEMBER 2026 AND SURREY’S RELEVANT AREA

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

It is recommended that Cabinet make the following recommendations to Full Council on 4 February 2025:

 

Recommendation 1

That the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Year 3 at Reigate Priory is reduced from 150 to 120 for 2026 admission, as set out in Appendix 1 of Annex 1.

Reasons for Recommendation

  • It is supported by the Headteacher and Governing Body of the school
  • It is supported by Surrey’s Education Place Planning team
  • There will still be sufficient places for local children if the PAN is decreased
  • It will help the school maintain financial viability as they will be able to operate with just four classes  

·         It will have no impact on children who are currently on roll at the school 

·         The decision is not related to the future provision of places in Reigate

Recommendation 2

That a Published Admission Number (PAN) is not introduced for admission to Year 3 at Audley Primary School for 2026 admission.

Reasons for Recommendation

·         There are spaces at other schools in the area which negates the need to introduce a Year 3 PAN at Audley Primary School

·         Although a small number, the introduction of a Year 3 PAN of 2 at Audley Primary School could have a detrimental impact on other schools in the area

·         It will have no impact on children who are currently on roll at the school 

Recommendation 3

That the Published Admissions Number (PAN) for Reception at Earlswood Infant School is reduced from 120 to 90 for 2026 admission, as set out in Appendix 1 of Annex 1.

Reasons for Recommendation

·         It is supported by the Headteacher and Governing Body of the school, having been requested by them

·         It is supported by Surrey’s Education Place Planning team

·         There will still be sufficient places for local children if the PAN is decreased

·         It will help the school maintain financial viability as they will be able to operate with just three classes

·         It will have no impact on children who are currently on roll at the school

 

Recommendation 4

That the Published Admission Numbers (PANs) for September 2026 for all other community and voluntary controlled schools (excluding Year 3 at Reigate Priory and Reception at Earlswood Infant School, which are covered by Recommendations 1 and 3) are determined as they are set out in Appendix 1 of Annex 1.

Reasons for Recommendation

  • Most other PANs remain as they were determined for 2025 which enables parents to have some historical benchmark by which to make informed decisions about their school preferences for 2026 admission
  • The PANs provide for the sufficiency of places at community and voluntary controlled schools

·         The Education Place Planning team supports the PANs

·         Each community and voluntary controlled school were given the opportunity to comment on the proposed PAN if they wished 

Recommendation 5

That all other aspects of Surrey’s admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for September 2026, for which no change has been consulted on, are agreed as set out in Annex 1 and its appendices.

Reasons for Recommendation

·         The local authority has a duty to determine the admission arrangements for 2026 for all community and voluntary controlled schools by 28 February 2025

·         The admission arrangements are working well

·         The arrangements enable the majority of pupils to attend a local school and in doing so reduce travel and support Surrey’s sustainability policies

·         The arrangements are compliant with the School Admissions Code

·         Section 20 of Annex 1 has been amended to remove reference to an offer of a place being withdrawn ‘even if the child has already started at the school’. This is because registered pupils may only be removed from roll in the limited circumstances set out in regulation 9 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024, as amended.

·         Section 21 of Annex 1 has been updated to include the following wording in relation to travel assistance, which ensures it reflects the recent changes to Surrey’s travel assistance policy:

‘To be considered for travel assistance to a school that is not your nearest, you will normally be required to demonstrate that you have applied for and been refused a place at any nearer schools….’.

Recommendation 6

That Surrey’s Relevant Area is agreed as set out in Annex 4.

 

 

Reasons for Recommendation

·         The local authority is required by law to define the Relevant Area, within which admission authorities must consult with other schools on their admission arrangements

·         The Relevant Area must be consulted upon and agreed every two years even if no changes are proposed

·         Setting a Relevant Area ensures that any schools who might be affected by changes to the admission arrangements for other local schools will be made aware of those changes

·         No change has been made to Surrey’s Relevant Area since it was last determined in February 2023

 

Publication date: 29/01/2025

Date of decision: 28/01/2025

Decided at meeting: 28/01/2025 - Cabinet

Effective from: 06/02/2025

Accompanying Documents: