Committee Report: Admissions to primary and secondary schools 2006/07
Report to: |
Children and Young People's Panel Cabinet |
|---|---|
Date: |
9 November 2006 16 November 2006 |
Subject: |
Admissions to primary and secondary schools 2006/07 |
Report of: |
Director of Children and Young People's Services |
Contact officer: |
Chris Parry 01942 486035 - c.parry@wiganmbc.gov.uk Julie Hough 01942 486036 - julie.hough@wiganmbc.gov.uk |
Purpose / summary: |
The purpose of this report is to inform members of:
|
Alternative options considered and reason for selecting the one recommended: |
The recommended option complies with the guidance in the School Admissions Code of Practice and Admission Forum recommendations. |
Recommendation / decision: |
Ii is recommended that members agree the LA consult on admission numbers for 2008-2009 at community and voluntary-controlled schools which reflect the net capacity assessment. |
Key Decision: |
This report does not involve a key decision. |
Implications: |
|
Financial: |
None |
Staffing: |
None |
Policy: |
None |
Equal Opportunities - Has a Diversity Impact Assessment been conducted? |
Yes |
Wards affected: |
All |
Special Interest Members – Which have been consulted |
None |
Tracking/Process:
|
Consultation |
Ward Members |
Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
|
- |
- |
- |
Panel |
Overview & Scrutiny |
Cabinet |
Council |
9/11/2006 |
- |
16/11/2006 |
- |
List of Background Papers in accordance with Section 100D of the Local Government Act 1972:
Document |
Date |
File Reference |
Place of Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|
School Admissions Code of Practice |
February 2003 |
|
Children and Young People's Services , Progress House, Westwood Park Drive, Wigan, WN3 4HH |
School Appeals Code of Practice |
February 2003 |
|
Children and Young People's Services |
School Adjudicator determinations |
July 2006 |
|
School Placements Team, Children and Young People's Services |
Proper Officer |
G. Rowney |
|---|---|
Date |
30th October 06 |
1.0 Background
1.1 The LA is the admission authority for community and voluntary-controlled schools. The governing body is the admission authority for voluntary-aided schools.
1.2 The LA and governing bodies work closely together to co-ordinate admissions for the main intakes into primary and secondary schools.
1.3 Parents are asked to give three preferences of school in order of priority. If none of their preferences can be met, the LA offers a place at the nearest school with a vacancy.
1.4 All parents who have been refused a place at one of their preferences have the right of appeal.
2.0 Secondary intake 2006-2007 (Admissions in September 2006)
2.1 Meeting parental preference
|
Number |
% |
Local performance indicator |
|---|---|---|---|
Total applications for Wigan schools |
3811 |
|
- |
Allocated a place at 1st preference school |
3664 |
96% |
93% |
Allocated a place at one of preferences |
3756 |
99% |
- |
None of preferences met |
55 |
1.5% |
- |
2.2 Application to secondary schools
School |
Admission limit |
No: of 1st preferences |
Number admitted |
|---|---|---|---|
Cansfield Community High |
168 |
190 |
174 |
The Byrchall High |
240 |
221 |
235 |
Golborne High |
170 |
148 |
158 |
Hindley Community High |
187 |
159 |
172 |
Rose Bridge High |
140 |
118 |
132 |
Bedford High |
240 |
193 |
203 |
Westleigh High |
150 |
171 |
156 |
Lowton Community High |
230 |
216 |
230 |
Abraham Guest High |
193 |
168 |
174 |
Shevington High |
150 |
132 |
148 |
Standish Community High |
250 |
256 |
246 |
Fred Longworth High |
255 |
242 |
255 |
Hawkley Hall High |
180 |
164 |
179 |
PEMBEC at Kingsdown High |
150 |
89 |
116 |
Hesketh Fletcher CE High |
200 |
153 |
153 |
The Deanery CE High |
270 |
255 |
265 |
St Mary’s Catholic High |
260 |
265 |
265 |
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High |
220 |
258 |
252 |
St Peter’s Catholic High |
178 |
210 |
196 |
St John Fisher Catholic High |
180 |
203 |
183 |
2.3 Looked After children
In accordance with the Code of Practice, children in public care had priority for admission in admission arrangements in 2006-2007. A total of 11 looked after pupils were admitted into year 7 at various secondary schools this year.
2.4 Secondary appeals
2.4.1 Number of secondary schools oversubscribed on first preferences:
2003-2004 |
9 |
|---|---|
2004-2005 |
5 |
2005-2006 |
6 |
2006-2007 |
7 |
2.4.1 Appeals heard for places at community and voluntary-controlled schools.
Year |
No: of appeals |
% appeals successful |
|---|---|---|
2003-2004 |
146 |
42% |
2004-2005 |
51 |
53% |
2005-2006 |
56 |
71% |
2006-2007 |
20 |
70% |
The number of appeals has reduced because the reduction we have already experienced in numbers of children entering the primary sector is now working through to the secondary sector.
2.4.2 A number of voluntary-aided schools also held appeals. The appropriate Diocese administered these.
2.4.3 The Local Government Ombudsman has only informed the council of one complaint to her from a parent in respect of the admission or appeal process for the September 2006 intake. The appeal was in relation to a voluntary-aided high school. The Ombudsman decided that the evidence presented to her satisfied her that there was no maladministration in the decisions of the school or the Appeal Panel.
3.0 Primary intake 2006-2007 (Admissions in September 2006)
3.1 Meeting parental preference
|
Number |
% |
Local performance indicator |
|---|---|---|---|
Total applications for Wigan schools |
3074 |
|
- |
Allocated a place at 1st preference school |
2982 |
97% |
96% |
Allocated a place at one of preferences |
3056 |
99% |
- |
None of preferences met |
18 |
<1% |
- |
3.2 Community and voluntary-controlled primary schools oversubscribed on first preferences:
2003-2004 |
9 |
|---|---|
2004-2005 |
10 |
2005-2006 |
10 |
2006-2007 |
6 |
All children could be offered a place within 2 miles walking distance of their home address.
3.4 Looked After children
7 looked after children were admitted into Reception classes at Wigan schools.
3.3 Primary appeals
3.3.1 We heard 22 appeals for places at community primary schools and 2 were successful.
3.3.2 A number of voluntary-aided schools also held appeals. The appropriate Diocese administered these.
4.0 Mid-year admissions 2005-2006
4.1 We continue to receive a considerable number of applications for admission to community and voluntary-controlled schools outside the normal admission round.
The number of mid year applications processed by the LA over the last 4 years is as follows:
|
2001-2002 |
2002-2003 |
2003-2004 |
2004-2005 |
2005-2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Primary |
352 (1.27%) |
347 (1.28%) |
316 (1.20%) |
351 (1.30%) |
376 (1.52%) |
Secondary |
452 (2.15%) |
518 (2.45%) |
565 (2.64%) |
586 (2.76%) |
593 (2.83%) |
Total |
804 |
865 |
881 |
937 |
969 |
The figures in brackets show mid year applications as a percentage of the total school population in the primary and secondary sectors.
The LA is not aware of all mid year admissions. Some parents approach primary schools direct and voluntary-aided schools deal with their own admissions.
Not all mid year applications result in admission to school as some parents make multiple applications or withdraw their requests.
4.2 The reasons parents apply for school places outside the normal admission round are varied and include:
- moving into the Borough;
- moving a considerable distance within the Borough;
- child unhappy at a school, for example bullying;
- parents unhappy with the current school, for example educational standards or the way an issue has been dealt with; and
- personal reasons, for example problems with other family members at a school.
4.3 We aim to admit pupils into school within 10 school days of receiving an application. The length of time taken to admit pupils in 2005-2006 was:
Length of time to admit |
Number of pupils |
|
|---|---|---|
Primary |
Secondary |
|
Under 10 days |
245 |
280 |
Over 10 days |
5 |
75 |
4.4 These figures include pupils who have been out of school because their parents had to appeal for a place. In these cases we aim to admit pupils within 10 days of a successful appeal. Appeals must be heard within 30 days of being lodged.
4.5 Delays in admission to school can be caused by:
- schools delaying admission of pupils they consider will be difficult because of behaviour or attendance issues by insisting on pre-admission meetings or referring parents back to the original school;
- parents delaying making a preference or having to appeal; or
- pupils not turning up when a place is available.
4.6 Senior officers from the LA and Education Welfare Service meet regularly to track pupils out of school. They work closely together to ensure these children are placed in school as quickly as possible.
4.7 The DfES have stipulated that all LAs should have a local protocol on the admission of hard to place pupils so that all children are placed in schools without delay. Elected Members agreed the Hard to Place Protocol for Wigan LA in Autumn 2005. During 2005-2006, pupils were admitted under the protocol as follows:
|
Permanently excluded pupils admitted |
Other pupils admitted |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary |
|
2 |
2 |
Secondary |
5 |
19 |
24 |
5.8 Mid year admission appeals 2005-2006
5.8.1 A large proportion of secondary schools in the Borough are oversubscribed in most year groups and many parents who request a place mid year must appeal.
5.8.2 We heard 83 appeals for mid year places in community and voluntary-controlled secondary schools and 67 were successful. The number of appeals has reduced since last year (95) which may be due to the success of the Hard to Place Protocol. Pupils can be offered a local school place under the protocol if the school is full but the LA cannot offer a place a reasonable distance from the pupil's home.
5.8.3 We heard 6 appeals for places in community and voluntary-controlled primary schools and 2 were successful.
6.0 Admissions 2007-2008 and 2008-2009
6.1 Admission numbers
6.1.1 Standard numbers for admission to schools no longer exist. Instead, the admission number is generated by the net capacity assessment of school buildings. Admission authorities can determine an admission number that is less than that generated by the net capacity assessment. If they do so, they must publish a notice giving the reasons in a local newspaper and parents may object to Schools Adjudicator.
6.1.2 If we keep the admission numbers low, especially at popular schools:
- we are artificially limiting parental preference; and
- it is very difficult to defend this position at appeal.
6.1.3 In January 2006, members agreed that the admission numbers for community and voluntary-controlled schools should reflect the net capacity of the school and new admission numbers were determined. The impact of this will be reported to members following the 2007-2008 admission rounds.
6.1.4 As school buildings and their capacity can change annually, members are requested to agree in principal that the LA consults on admission numbers for 2008-2009 that reflect net capacity. The admission numbers and response to consultation will be reported to members for determination in January 2007.
6.2 Admission numbers - referral to Schools Adjudicator
6.2.1 Following the annual consultation on admission arrangements, the Admission Forum and LA objected to a proposal by St George's Central CE Primary School to reduce the admission number from 45 to 30. This does not reflect the net capacity of the building which generates an admission number between 38 and 43.
6.2.2 The governing body determined an admission number of 30 despite the objections and the LA subsequently referred this to the Schools Adjudicator.
6.2.3 The Adjudicator's decision was that an admission number of 40 be determined for 2007-2008. LA officers agreed that this compromise was acceptable.
7.0 Wigan Admission Forum
7.1 Wgan Admission Forum met 3 times in the 2006-2007 school year. The forum has discussed the:
- admission criteria for community and voluntary-controlled schools
2007-2008; - admission arrangements for voluntary-aided schools 2007-2008;
- admission arrangements for the new Platt Bridge Community School;
- admission arrangements for LA nurseries;
- admissions to schools booklets 2006-2007;
- protocol for hard to place pupils;
- admissions and appeals for the 2004-2005 intakes; and
- Co-ordinated Admission Schemes for 2007-2008.
7.2 The forum's recommendations are included in the relevant reports brought before Children's Services Panel and Cabinet.
8.0 Recommendations
It is recommended that members agree that the LA consult on admission numbers for community and voluntary-controlled schools for 2008-2009 which reflect the net capacity assessment of the school.
9.0 Conclusions
9.1 As a result of falling rolls, fewer secondary schools were oversubscribed on first preferences for 2007-2008 and there were fewer appeals.
9.2 The number of mid-year admissions of pupils to schools continues to grow. There are unacceptable delays in admitting some of these pupils but the Hard to Place Protocol has reduced delays caused by families needing to appeal.
9.3 The Schools’ Adjudicator upheld all the LA objection to the determined admission number that did not reflect net capacity.
9.4 Wigan Admission Forum continues to contribute to improving admissions processes in the interests of local parents and pupils.