|
Report to: |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
|
|
Date of meeting:
|
18 October 2021 |
|
By: |
Director of Children’s Services
|
|
Title: |
In year admission arrangements
2021-22 agree in-year variation |
|
Purpose: |
To determine the in-year variation to admission arrangements for 2021-22 to introduce admissions co-ordination for in-year admissions as required by the School Admissions Code 2021. |
1) To approve the in-year variation of East Sussex County Council’s admission arrangements for 2021-22 to include the in-year admission arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools in East Sussex as set out in appendix 1.
2) To approve the introduction of the co-ordinated scheme of admissions for in-year applications as set out in appendix 2.
3) To note the locally agreed Fair Access Protocol (FAP) which is being adopted by East Sussex Schools and academies with effect from 1 November 2021.
1.1 The School Admissions Code 2021 (‘the Code’) came into force on 1 September 2021, replacing the 2014 Code. The draft Code was published in May 2021, after both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 admission arrangements had been determined.
1.2 The Code requires that all local authorities publish their in-year admission arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools by 31 October 2021 and in subsequent years by 1 June for September that year. East Sussex County Council does not currently publish such arrangements and an in-year variation is required to do this.
1.3 Approval by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator is not required to vary admission arrangements if they are required to ensure compliance with the new Code. However, a Lead Member decision is required.
1.4 Schools
which set their own admission arrangements (own admission
authority) schools may opt into the scheme. There is also a
traded service offering full management of in year admissions to
these schools..
1.5 The Code requires substantial changes to the locally agreed Fair Access Protocol and the Lead Member is advised that a new draft protocol has been circulated to schools for consultation in compliance with these requirements. The Lead Member is not required to make a decision on the protocol.
2.1 The Lead Member is advised that the proposed new arrangements are set out as Appendix 1, and the proposed scheme is set out as Appendix 2.
2.2 All schools in the relevant area have been notified and/or consulted via email on 22 July 2021 (with reminders in the Virtual Schoolbag* during term 1), with a deadline for responses of 30 September 2021. Responses from schools received by 27 September 2021 are attached as appendix 3. Should further responses be received these will be shared with the Lead Member at the meeting and an updated appendix 3 will be published online
* The Virtual Schoolbag is East Sussex County Council’s way of communicating important and relevant information to schools and children’s service professionals.
2.3 There have been 4 responses to the consultation, some of which expressed concerns to the proposals. Appendix 3 also includes the Departments response to the concerns. Several own admission authority schools have indicated a wish to opt in, or out of the scheme, once it is in operation.
2.4 Should the in-year variation to the arrangements be agreed for 2021, this will continue to apply for subsequent years unless varied following consultation as part of the annual process of determination of admission arrangements.
3.1 The Lead Member is asked to approve the in-year variation of the admission arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools in East Sussex, since it is a requirement of the Code. No amendments were suggested as an outcome of the consultation, so it is recommended that the arrangements be adopted as set out in appendix 1.
3.2 The Lead Member is also asked to approve the co-ordinated in year scheme as set out in appendix 2.
3.3 The Lead Member is also asked to note the locally agreed Fair Access Protocol which will be adopted from term 2 2021-22 to coincide with the introduction of the new in year arrangements, if approved. This draft protocol is attached as appendix 4.
ALISON JEFFERY
Director of Children’s Services
Contact
Jo Miles
– Head of Admissions and Transport
Tel: 01273 481911
Email: jo.miles@eastsussex.gov.uk
Appendices
Appendix 1- Proposed in year admission arrangements 2021-22
Appendix 2- Proposed in year co-ordination scheme 2021-22
Appendix 3- Outcomes of the consultation/notification of schools within the relevant area (East Sussex)
Appendix 4- Draft East Sussex locally agreed Fair Access Protocol 2021