Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement)

This report present findings and subsequent recommendations after a recent public consultation concerning Admission Arrangements for academic year 2016/17.

The Admissions Code of Practice 2012 requires Local Authorities/Admission Authorities to publically consult when it intends to make significant changes to its Admission Arrangements.  For academic year 2016/17 the Local Authority (LA) has proposed boundary changes to three catchment areas within the Heaton’s locality as well as an interim oversubscription criteria designed to mitigate disadvantage caused by these catchment changes.

The Local Authority’s rationale for such a change shall be detailed in this report along with findings from public consultation and subsequent recommendations

The Executive is requested to consider the report, consultation items and results of the admissions consultation to agree the following:

·         Consultation item 1 – The Local Authority supports the revised proposal (illustrated in Appendix 13) to change the catchment area for Norris Bank Primary School, St Thomas’ CE Primary School and Tithe Barn Primary School.

·         Consultation item 2 – The Local Authority supports the introduction of interim criteria for an initial 3 year period from 2016/17, to be reviewed each year prior to determination.

Officer contact:  Phil Beswick; 0161 474 3832; phil.beswick@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the outcome of a recent public consultation on the Admissions Arrangements for the academic year 2016/17. It had been proposed that the catchment boundaries be amended for three schools in the Heatons locality and interim oversubscription criteria be introduced for these schools to mitigate disadvantaged caused to families by these changes. The report set out the policy background to the consultation and set out the rational for the changes proposed.

The Executive Councillor highlighted the need to amend catchment areas in line with determinations from the Office of the Schools Adjudicator and efforts by the Council to work with schools in the area to expand capacity. The Executive Councillor also expressed her sympathy with those families who would be disadvantaged by the proposals but emphasised that the Council had to make changes to the catchment areas.

The Executive Councillor further clarified that in respect of references to the 2012 Schools Admissions Code of Practice, these were reflected in the latest version of the Code published in December 2014.

Executive councillors expressed sympathy with those parents who may be disadvantaged by the proposed changes, but acknowledged that the proposals being made were necessary and unavoidable.

RESOLVED – That the results of the recent admissions consultation be noted and that the following responses to the consultation items be approved:-

·         the Local Authority supports the revised proposal (illustrated in Appendix 13 of the report) to change the catchment area for Norris Bank Primary School, St Thomas’ CE Primary School and Tithe Barn Primary School;

·         the Local Authority supports the introduction of interim criteria for an initial 3 year period from 2016/17, to be reviewed each year prior to determination.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report presents for consideration the findings and subsequent recommendations following a recent public consultation concerning Admission Arrangements for academic year 2016/17.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Phil Beswick on Tel: 474 3832 or email: phil.beswick@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting findings and subsequent recommendations following a recent public consultation concerning the admission arrangements for the academic year 2016/2017.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The challenge faced by the Local Authority in the next three to four years in both the primary and secondary sector caused by rising birth rates and inward migration.

·         The Panel noted that the results of the consultation exercise were mixed.

·         Concern was expressed at the potential impact to the change of policy on transitional siblings and that many children may not be able to follow their elder siblings to the same school should they change catchment area. A number of Councillors did not agree with the proposals detailed in the report.

·         The Committee acknowledged that the Council had to take appropriate action in view of the rulings made by the Schools Adjudicator in 2013 and 2014 concerning school catchment areas in the Heatons.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Executive be requested to take into account the views expressed by the Scrutiny Committee when making their decision.