Decision details

1.

Title of Item/Report

Procedure for Admission of Pupils to Primary and Secondary Schools in September 2026

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that outlined the admission arrangements the Local Authority (LA) was proposing, for entry into both primary (Reception) and secondary (Year 7) schools in September 2026.  To comply with legislation for admission in September 2026, the report included the co-ordinated timetable, the Published Admission Number (PAN) for all Primary and Secondary Schools for that year and the LA’s proposed Admission Policy (Oversubscription Policy) for Community maintained and Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools for entry in September 2026.

Appendix 1 to the report provided further detail of the proposed Co-ordinated Admission arrangements timetable – 2026/27.

Appendix 2 to the report provided the proposed PANs for September 2026 in Community, VA, Academies and Free Schools and highlighted those schools to be considered for expansion and remodelling.

Appendix 3 to the report provided further detail on the proposed LA’s Admission Policy for September 2026 for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools only, that would give priority to applications for admission to a school if that school was oversubscribed.

RESOLVED that:-

1. The proposed Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme for Primary, Secondary, Voluntary Aided (VA) schools, Academies and Free School (points 5-6 and Appendix 1 of the report) be agreed.

2. The proposed PANs for Primary and Secondary schools for September 2026 (points 7-10 and Appendix 2 of the report) be agreed.

3. The proposed Admission Policy for September 2026 (point 11-14 and Appendix 3 of the report) be agreed.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The main legislation (Chapter 1 of Part 3 of SSFA 1998) requires the LA to publish information annually and to be available for parents when they apply for a place at primary and secondary schools.  The information must comply with the new School Admissions Code 2021. The LA must, as the admission authority determine, i.e., formally agree its admission arrangements, even if it hasn’t changed from the previous year and a consultation has not been required. These arrangements therefore must be determined by 28 February 2025 for admission to Primary and Secondary schools in September 2026.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight Friday 21 February 2025