Agenda and draft minutes

8.1       The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2025.

Disclosure by all Members present of personal interests in matters on the Agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Member regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct

9.1       There were none.

Notification of items which the Lead Member considers to be urgent and propose to take at the end of the appropriate part of the Agenda

10.1     There were none.

11.1     Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by Director of Children’s Services

12.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services.

DECISIONS

12.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) approve publication of a statutory proposal to establish a specialist facility for up to 12 pupils at Chailey St Peter’s CE Primary School; and

2) delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services to amend the proposal prior to its publication if required. 

REASONS

12.3     The Local Authority has a strategy to deliver more specialist facility places in mainstream schools across the county, particularly for the growing number of children with autism. To support its strategy, the Local Authority would like to establish a specialist facility for up to 12 pupils at Chailey St Peter’s CE Primary School from 1 January 2026.

12.4     Feedback from the consultation was overwhelmingly positive, with 41 out of 46 respondents (89%) supportive of the proposal.

Report by Director of Children’s Services

13.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services.

13.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to note that the East Sussex Fair Access Protocol 2025 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, to be adopted from 1 September 2025 following agreement and endorsement from the majority of East Sussex schools.

REASONS

13.3    The Fair Access Protocol (FAP) represents a key commitment by East Sussex County Council and schools to uphold the right to education for all children, fostering an inclusive community, where every student can thrive.

13.4     The anticipated outcomes of the Fair Access Protocol include improved educational attainment for vulnerable students, increased school retention rates, and an inclusive school environment across East Sussex. Regular stakeholder feedback will be sought through the FAP panels, will be integral to ensuring its effectiveness.

13.5     Feedback from the consultation was overwhelmingly positive with 89% of respondents supportive of adopting the new Fair Access Protocol from 1 September 2025.

13.6     The new Protocol will provide a clear framework for school leaders and ensure that the most vulnerable children can be guaranteed a school place within a clear timeframe that meets statutory requirements as set out in the Admissions Code of Practice, 2021.

13.7     The Lead member noted that a new Fair Access Protocol has been approved by the majority of schools in East Sussex and will therefore be adopted from 1 September 2025.  This does not require approval by the Lead member, as The School’s Admission code states that, Once the Protocol has been agreed by the majority of schools in its area, all admission authorities must participate in it.