The Cabinet considered a report of Executive Director (Children and Public Health) concerning the admission arrangements for community schools for the academic year 2022/23 and the Coordinated Admissions Scheme for 2022/23.

Resolved:-

1.    That the proposed Admissions Arrangements for Community Schools for the academic year 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report and the requirement for the public consultation on changes, be approved.

2.    That consultation with governing bodies of community schools takes place on the published admission number (PAN) for community infant, junior and primary schools for September 2022 as set out in the Admission Arrangements in Appendix 1 to the report.

3.    That the proposed Coordinated Admissions Scheme for 2022/23 onwards, as set out in Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 of the report, be approved.

4.    That the relevant area for schools is reviewed and agreed as follows: Southend, Castle Point and Rochford for the years 2022 and 2023.

Reason for decision:

The Council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient places for all statutory aged children.

Other options:

The Council could decide not to consider reducing the PAN of one community school and thus not publicly consult on the 2022/23 Admission Arrangements for Community Schools and Coordinated Admissions Scheme. This would add undue pressure on a small number of local schools for 2022, where a significant surplus of places is forecast, creating financial and organisational challenges.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: People Scrutiny Committee

Executive Member: Cllr Jones