Issue - meetings

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNTY COUNCIL:

Recommendation 1

A feeder link is introduced for Banstead Community Junior School for children from Banstead Infant School for September 2014, as follows:

a)    Looked after and previously looked after children

b)    Exceptional social/medical need

c)    Children attending Banstead 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 a close proximity

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

·         It is supported by the Governing Body of the school

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

Recommendation 2

The introduction of a feeder link for Reigate Priory for children from Holmesdale and Reigate Parish is deferred until alternative options are considered.

Reasons for Recommendation

·         There were notable concerns regarding the proposals which the Local Authority would wish to explore fully before progressing

·         It would allow more time to consider alternative proposals

·         It would allow any proposal to be considered in the light of future school place planning considerations in the area 

Recommendation 3

The admission criteria for Southfield Park are changed so that, for September 2014, children who have Southfield Park Primary School as their nearest school would receive a higher priority when allocating places outside the catchment area, as follows:

a)    Looked after and previously looked after children

b)    Exceptional social/medical need

c)    Siblings

d)    Children living in the defined catchment of the school with priority being given to children living furthest away from the school

e)    Other children for whom the school is their nearest school

f)     Any other children 

Reasons for Recommendation

·         It would ensure that families living outside the catchment who have Southfield Park as their nearest school are given priority ahead of those who do not

·         It would not displace children living on the Horton Park development, for whom the catchment was originally introduced to serve

·         A further review of the admission criteria for this school should be carried out once decisions have been made on expansion proposals at other local schools 

Recommendation 4

That a feeder link is introduced for St Ann’s Heath Junior School for children from Trumps Green Infant School for September 2014, as follows:

a)    Looked after and previously looked after children

b)    Exceptional social/medical need

c)    Siblings 

d)    Children attending Trumps Green Infant School

e)  ...  view the full decision text for item 29

Following the statutory consultation of Surrey’s admission arrangements for September 2014, the 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 2014.

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

·         Banstead Community Junior School - Recommendation 1

·         Reigate Priory School – Recommendation 2

·         Southfield Park Primary – Recommendation 3

·         St Ann’s Heath Junior School – Recommendation 4 

·         St Ann’s Heath Junior School and Trumps Green Infant School – Recommendation 5

·         Tatsfield Primary School – Recommendation 6

·         Thames Ditton Junior School – Recommendation 7

·         Published Admission Number for Thames Ditton Junior – Recommendation 8

·         Published Admission Numbers for other schools – Recommendation 9 

·         Increase to number of preferences allowed under Surrey’s primary coordinated scheme – Recommendation 10

·         Coordinated Admissions Schemes – Recommendation 12

·         Surrey’s Relevant Area – Recommendation 11

·         Admission arrangements for other schools – Recommendation 13

The Cabinet Member for Children and Learning confirmed that all local Members had been consulted on the proposals in their divisions and that a summary of responses in relation to the outcome of the consultation had been tabulated in Appendix 4. She also drew attention to the Equalities Impact Assessment (Appendix 5).

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

The Leader of the Council referred to the challenge of providing 16,000 additional places over the next 10 years and the capital investment provided by the council. He also praised the excellent joint working between School Place Planning and Property Services. Finally, he reminded Members that these recommendations will be recommended to full Council who would consider them at their next meeting on 19 March 2012.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNTY COUNCIL:

Recommendation 1

A feeder link is introduced for Banstead Community Junior School for children from Banstead Infant School for September 2014, as follows:

a)    Looked after and previously looked after children

b)    Exceptional social/medical need

c)    Children attending Banstead 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 a close proximity

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

·         It is supported by the Governing Body of the school

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

Recommendation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29