Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People), which set out proposed changes to the admissions policies for Coventry Community and Voluntary Controlled Primary, Infant and Junior Schools.

The Cabinet noted that consultation is required to take place every seven years on school admission arrangements under the School Standards and Framework Act.  In April 2006, the Cabinet agreed that consideration of reports on school admissions arrangements would be delegated to the appropriate Cabinet Member in years where there were no significant changes to the admission arrangements.  It has now been seven years since the last consultation and the following significant changes to the admission policies were proposed:-

·  Broadening the definition of brothers and sisters to include those children whose parents live together without being married.  This would more accurately reflect and meet the needs of the families living in the City.

·  Adding a new priority for children of school staff which it is hoped will help schools to recruit staff.  It would only have a marginal impact of perhaps one or two places in any school, but it may help schools to secure the services of staff that will benefit a large number of children over time.

·  Changing the waiting list arrangements so that instead of having to apply to remain on the waiting list each term, parents will only have to apply after 31^st December to remain on the waiting list for the remainder of the academic year.

·  A separate policy created for St Andrew’s Infant School which reflects more clearly the specific links with Eastern Green Junior School and enables the wording in the general policy for primary schools to be simplified as it no longer needs to refer to infant and junior schools.

The consultation on these proposed changes was carried out in line with the requirements of the School Admissions Code 2014 and included direct consultation with all admission authorities within Coventry, neighbouring admission authorities, diocesan representatives, parents, trade unions and the wider public.  An online survey was available from 23^rd November 2018 to 11^th January 2019 and use was also made of social media, communication links with all schools and advertising postcards in early years, health and community venues to encourage feedback and participation in the online consultation on the city council website.  Details of the consultation results were appended to the report submitted.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet determine the admission arrangements for all community and voluntary controlled primary, infant and junior schools for 2020/21.