RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL:
Recommendation 1
That a sibling link is introduced for Stoughton Infant School with Northmead Junior School for September 2018.
Reasons for Recommendation
· There was overall support for this change
· It would support families with more than one child as families with a sibling at Northmead Junior School would benefit from sibling priority at Stoughton Infant School
· This proposal is in line with a separate proposal by Northmead Junior School to introduce a reciprocal sibling link with Stoughton Infant School. This was agreed by the Governing Body of Northmead Junior School on 18 January 2017.
· It would provide continuity and a clearer transition for parents, children and schools and would reduce anxiety for parents
· It would maximise the opportunity for families to keep children together or at schools with agreed links
· It is supported by Governors at Northmead Junior School and by the Headteacher and Chair of Governors of Stoughton Infant School
Recommendation 2
That the published admissions number for St Andrew’s CofE Infant School in Farnham is decreased from 40 to 30 for September 2018
Reasons for Recommendation
· It is supported by the Headteacher and Governing Body of the school
· There will still be sufficient infant places for local children if the PAN is decreased
· It will help support other local schools in maintaining pupil numbers
· It will alleviate funding and staffing issues in the school
· It will have no impact on children who are currently on roll at the school
Recommendation 3
That the published admissions number for Walsh CofE Junior School is decreased from 75 to 64 in September 2018
Reasons for Recommendation
· It is supported by the Headteacher and Governing Body of the school
· There will still be sufficient junior places for local children if the PAN is decreased
· It will help support other local schools in maintaining pupil numbers
· It will alleviate funding, accommodation and staffing issues in the school
· It will have no impact on children who are currently on roll at the school
Recommendation 4
That Surrey’s Relevant Area is agreed as set out in Enclosure 3.
Reasons for Recommendation
· The local authority is required by law to define the Relevant Area for admissions
· 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 March 2015
Recommendation 5
That the aspects of Surrey’s admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for September 2018, for which no change is proposed, are agreed as set out in Enclosure 1 and its Appendices.
Reasons for Recommendation
· This will ensure stability and consistency for the majority of Surrey’s parents, pupils and schools
· The arrangements enable parents to have some historical benchmark by which to make informed decisions about their school preferences
· The existing arrangements are working well
· The arrangements enable the majority of pupils to attend their nearest schools and in doing so reduces travel and supports Surrey’s sustainability policies
· Changes highlighted in bold in sections 11, 19 and 21 of Enclosure 1 which have not otherwise been referenced in this report, have been made to add clarity to the admission arrangements but do not constitute a policy change
· Changes to PAN that are highlighted in bold in Appendix 1 of Enclosure 1 are referenced in Recommendations 2 and 3
Recommendation 6
That the primary and secondary coordinated admission schemes that will apply to all schools for 2018 are agreed as set out in Enclosure 2.
Reasons for Recommendation
· The coordinated schemes for 2018 are essentially the same as 2017 with dates updated
· Paragraph 50 of the primary and secondary schemes and paragraph 2 of the secondary scheme have been updated to provide clarity to the schemes
· The coordinated schemes will enable the County Council to meet its statutory duties regarding school admissions
· The coordinated schemes are working well