Introduction
Section 85 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 Core Membership
1.2 The Core Membership of the Forum to be appointed by the Local Authority (LA) is as follows:
School Group Members:
- community and voluntary controlled 3 members
- voluntary aided 2 members
- Church of England Diocese 2 members
- Roman Catholic Diocese 1 member
- Parent Governor 3 members
- Representatives of the Local Community 2 members
1.3 School Membership
1.4 All maintained schools except special schools are members of the Forum and (unless they are otherwise represented in the core membership) their governing bodies are required to nominate a ‘School Member’ who should be a Headteacher or a governor (other than one appointed to the school by the LA who is also a member of the authority) and notify the Secretary to the Forum of the nomination in writing. The LA will make appointments accordingly and keep a register of the same.
1.5 School Members are entitled but not required to attend all Forum meetings and will be notified of meetings and agendas electronically via the school they represent. Background papers to meetings will be made available on request. If a School Member wishes to attend the meeting they should inform the Secretary to the Forum in writing giving a least one weeks notice.
1.6 Other Members
1.7 Other non LA Members, who appear to the Core Members to represent the interests of any section of the local community, may be appointed by the LA on recommendation by the Core Members.
2. Alternate members
2.1 A core member should nominate an alternate member to attend meetings of the Forum in his/her absence with the following provisos:
a. A LA member may only nominate an alternate member who is a member of the LA;
b. A Parent Governor Representative may only nominate an alternate member who is a Parent Governor Representative
c. A School Group Member may only nominate an alternate member who is a Headteacher or governor from the same school group as the school of which the member in question is a Headteacher or governor;
d. A Diocesan Representative may only nominate an alternate member with the consent of the appropriate Diocese;
e. A Representative of the Local Community may only nominate an alternate member with the consent of the LA.
2.2 A non-Core Member may nominate an alternate member to attend meetings of the Forum in his/her absence with the following provisos:
a. A School Member may only nominate an alternate member who is a Headteacher or governor of the school which he represents;
b. Other Members as defined in para. 1.7 above may only nominate an alternate member with the consent of the LA.
2.3 Written notice of the attendance of an alternate member must be provided to the Secretary to the Forum prior to any meeting taking place.
3. Terms of office
3.1 Core Members and School Members of the Forum are appointed for a period not exceeding 4 years, after which they are eligible for reappointment. Other members of the Forum are appointed on the terms determined by the Core Members. Membership will be reviewed in September each year.
3.2 A Core Member shall vacate his office if:
- in the case of a LA Member, he/she ceases to be a member of the LA;
- in the case of a School Group Member he/she ceases to be a Headteacher or governor from a school in a school group;
- in the case of a Parent Governor Member he/she ceases to be a parent governor representative;
- in the case of a Church of England or Roman Catholic Diocese Member the relevant diocese is of the opinion that the member should no longer be a member of the forum and notifies the Secretary accordingly;
- the LA, following a recommendation of the Core Members, is of the opinion that the member should no longer be a member of the Forum (with the exception of a diocese representative);
- he/she resigns his membership by giving written notice to the secretary.
3.3 A School Member shall vacate his office if he ceases to be the Headteacher or a governor of the school he represents.
3.4 A person appointed as an Other Member may resign his membership at any time by giving written notice to the secretary.
3.5 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 Core Membership to serve for one year at the first meeting of the academic year by a majority of votes cast by Core 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 Core Members present at the meeting.
4.3 In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the office of Chair or Vice-Chair the Core 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 Chair or Vice-Chair can resign is office by written notice given to the secretary.
5. Administrative support
5.1 The Core 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 Core 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 Core Members of the Forum should be present at the meeting for it to be 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 or it is an issue, which concerns only Core Members, i.e. a constitutional issue.
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. Votes will be recorded according to category of member, i.e. Core or School Member
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 Core 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.
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. Annual Report
12.1 The Forum shall produce an annual report in accordance with the Education (Admissions Forums) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2007.
13. Constitution and terms of reference of the Forum
13.1 The Forum will act in accordance with the Terms of Reference (attached).
13.2 The Core Members may review the Constitution and Terms of Reference at such times they think fit.
13.3 Subject to this constitution and the relevant statutory framework (currently The Education (Admission Forums) (England) Regulations 2002) the Core Members may regulate the procedure of the Admissions Forum.
Terms of Reference
- To consider how well existing and proposed admission arrangements serve the interests of children and parents within the area of the LA;
- To promote agreement on admissions issues;
- To consider the comprehensiveness and accessibility of the admissions literature and information for parents by each admission authority within the area of the LA;
- To consider the effectiveness of the LA’s proposed co-ordinated admission arrangements;
- To consider the means by which admissions processes might be improved and how actual admissions relate to the admissions numbers published;
- 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;
- To promote the arrangements for children with special educational needs, children in care and children excluded from school;
- To consider any other admission issues arising.
