Introduction
Section 85A of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 requires all local authorities to establish an Admissions Forum (‘Forum’). Forums provide a vehicle for admission authorities and other key parties to discuss the effectiveness of local admissions arrangements, consider how to deal with difficult admissions issues and advise all admissions authorities on ways in which their arrangements can be improved. Forums also have a key role in ensuring a fair admission system that promotes social equality, does not disadvantage one child compared to another and which is straightforward and easy for parents to understand.
Admission authorities of all maintained schools must have regard to any advice from the Forum in the exercise of their functions.
1. Membership
1.1 Membership
1.2 The Membership of the Forum to be appointed by the Local Authority (LA) is as follows:
| Group Member |
Numbers |
| Community Schools |
3 (1 Primary, 1 Secondary., 1 Special |
| Voluntary Conrolled Schools |
1 |
| Voluntary Aided Schools |
2 (1 Primary, 1 Secondary) |
| Foundation Schools |
1 (1 Secondary) |
| Diocese |
3 (1 Roman Catholic, 1 Church of England, 1 Methodist) |
| Parent Member |
2 (1 Primary, 1 Secondary) |
| Community Representative |
2 |
| Local Authority Representative |
2 |
| Local Employer |
1 |
2. Alternate members
2.1 Any member of the Forum may, by giving written notice to the Secretary, nominate an alternate member to attend meetings of the Forum in their absence, and such nominations remain effective until it is withdrawn:
(a) A Community Schools member must only nominate an alternate member who is a head teacher or governor of a school which is a member of the Community Schools.
(b) A Voluntary Controlled Schools member must only nominate an alternate member who is a head teacher or governor of a school which is a member of the Voluntary Controlled Schools.
(c) A Voluntary Aided Schools member must only nominate an alternate member who is a head teacher or governor of a school which is a member of the Voluntary Aided Schools.
(d) A Foundation Schools member must only nominate an alternate member who is a head teacher or governor of a school which is a member of the Foundation Schools.
(e) A Diocesan member must only nominate alternate member with the consent of the appropriate Diocese.
(f) A Parent Member may only nominate alternate member who is a parent of a child who has attained the age of two and is receiving primary education, or is of compulsory school age.
(g) A Community member must only nominate an alternate member with the consent of the LA.
(h) A Local Authority Representative must only nominate an alternate member who is an employee of the Local Authority and with the consent of the LA.
(i) A Local Employer must only nominate an alternate member who is an employee of the local employer.
2.2 Written notice of the attendance of an alternate member must be provided to the Secretary of the Forum prior to any meeting taking place.
3. Terms of office
3.1 Members of the Forum are appointed for a period not exceeding 4 years, after which they are eligible for reappointment. Membership will be reviewed in September each year.
3.2 A Member shall vacate his office if:
(a) in the case of a Community Schools member he/she ceases to be head teacher or a governor from a school in the Community Schools group.
(b) in the case of a Voluntary Controlled Schools member he/she ceases to be head teacher or a governor from a school in the Voluntary Controlled Schools group.
(c) in the case of a Voluntary Aided Schools member he/she ceases to be head teacher or a governor from a school in the Voluntary Aided Schools group.
(d) in the case of a Foundation Schools member he/she ceases to be head teacher or a governor from a school in the Foundation Schools group.
(e) in the case of a Roman Catholic, Church of England or Methodist representative the relevant diocese is of the opinion that the member should no longer be a member of the Forum and notifies the Secretary accordingly.
(f) in the case of a Parent Member he/she ceases to be a parent governor representative.
(g) the LA, following a recommendation of the Members, is of the opinion that the Member should no longer be Community Member of the Forum.
(h) in the case of a LA member, he/she ceases to be employed by the LA.
(i) in the case of a local employer member he/she ceases to be employed by the local employer.
(j) He/she resigns his/her membership by giving written notice to the Secretary.
(k) every member shall resign if the Forum is dissolved if the LA decides to establish a joint Forum with one or more other local authorities.
3.3 Any Member who fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings without providing an alternate member will be asked to resign.
3.4 The LA may also establish sub-committees to help the Forum in the performance of its functions
4. Chair and vice-chair
4.1 The Forum will appoint a Chair and Vice Chair from the Membership to serve for one year at the first meeting of the academic year by a majority of votes cast by Members and on ceasing to hold office they shall be eligible for re-election.
4.2 The Vice Chair will chair a meeting in the Chair’s absence. In both the Chair and Vice-Chair’s absence, a chair will be elected from the Members present at the meeting.
4.3 In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the office of Chair or Vice-Chair
the Members shall at their next meeting elect one of their members to fill that vacancy and they shall hold office for the remainder of the respective term.
4.4 A person ceases to hold office as the Chair or Vice-Chair –
(j) on ceasing to be a member of the Forum, or
ii) if they resign office by written notice given to the Secretary.
5. Administrative support
5.1 The Members shall appoint a person, nominated by the LA, not being a member of the Forum, to act as Secretary to the Forum.
5.2 The Secretary of the Forum will ensure that they administratively support the Forum by preparing agendas, producing minutes and circulating all the relevant papers.
6. Meetings
6.1 Members of the Forum and LA Officers must submit items for inclusion on the agenda to the Secretary at least 10 working days prior to the meeting.
6.2 The Agenda for each Forum will be agreed with the Chair of the Admission Forum.
6.3 The agenda and supporting papers will be sent to Members at least 7 working days before the date of the meeting.
6.4 Wigan Admission Forum will meet at least 3 times per year (usually once per term).
7. Quorum
7.1 At least 25% of Members of the Forum should be present at the meeting for it to be quorate. If there are any vacancies in the membership of the forum these vacancies will be excluded for the purposes of deciding whether a meeting is quorate.
8. Voting
8.1 Voting shall be effected by a show of hands.
8.2 All Forum Members present will be entitled to vote unless they are prevented from voting by virtue of section 9 ‘conduct’ below.
8.3 A consensus is required before advice can be promulgated that represents the agreed views of the Forum as a whole unless the Chair determines that there are wholly exceptional circumstances, which can be objectively justified if challenged.
8.4 A simple majority is required in relation to all other proposals including a proposal to make an objection to the Schools Adjudicator unless otherwise specified. In the event of a tied vote the Chair will have a second or casting vote, or in the absence of the Chair the Vice-Chair has a second or casting vote.
9. Conduct
9.1 In carrying out their functions, members of the Admission Forum are expected to act in accordance with the ten principles of public life as set out in the Relevant Authorities (General Principles) Order 2001, which are selflessness, honesty and integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, personal judgement, respect for others, duty to uphold the law, stewardship and leadership.
9.2 Members of the Forum should declare an interest in any proposal, which directly affects a school at which they have an interest. The Members will decide whether those members declaring an interest in a proposal should be asked to withdraw from discussion and / or prevent them from voting on that item.
9.3 Members of the Admission Forum are also expected to uphold a duty of confidence and refrain from disclosing any information received in the course of their duties to third parties.
10. Sub groups
10.1 The Forum may appoint sub groups as it sees necessary.
11. Publication
11.1 The Forum shall promulgate its advice and recommendations to all admission authorities and maintained schools within the relevant area of the Authority by 30th November each year.
11.2 Advice and recommendations of the Forum will also be published by the LA on the Council website.
11.3 Advice and recommendations of the Forum will also be taken into account in the annual admissions booklets produced by the LA.
12. Constitution and terms of reference of the Forum
12.1 The Forum will act in accordance with the Terms of Reference (attached).
12.2 The Members may review the Constitution and Terms of Reference at such times they think fit.
12.3 Subject to this constitution and the relevant statutory framework (currently The School Admissions (Local Authority Reports and Admissions Forum) (England) Regulations 2008) the Members may regulate the procedure of the Admissions Forum.
Admissions Forum
Terms of Reference
a) To consider how well existing and proposed admission arrangements serve the interests of children and parents within the area of the LA;
b) To promote agreement on admissions issues;
c) To consider the comprehensiveness and accessibility of the admissions literature and information for parents by each admission authority within the area of the LA;
d) To consider the effectiveness of the LA’s proposed co-ordinated admission arrangements;
e) To consider the means by which admissions processes might be improved and how actual admissions relate to the admissions numbers published;
f) To monitor the admission of children who arrive in the LA’s area outside the normal admissions round with a view to promoting arrangements for the fair distribution of such children in accordance with arrangements under section 86 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and in accordance with the Schools Admissions Code; and consider the effectiveness of the Fair Access Protocol;
g) To promote the arrangements for children with special educational needs, children with disabilities, children in care and children excluded from school;
h) To consider any other admission issues arising.
i) To consider whether to prepare and publish reports on such matters connected with the admissions of pupils to maintained schools in the LA’s area.
