Purpose

1. The admission arrangements for (LA maintained) community schools must be agreed annually. The admission arrangements requesting agreement by council for the academic year 2028/29. This includes the published admission number (PAN), oversubscription criteria and the catchment areas for each of the schools.

2. The Council is required to undertake a statutory consultation for all community schools with school Governors on the proposed admission arrangements and PAN.

3. The Council must also consult all schools on the proposed Coordinated Admissions Scheme for 2028/29 and publish the final version by the 1 January 2027. There are no significant changes proposed and a summary is provided.

4. The relevant area requires agreement by Council. This is the area that would be most impacted by Southend admission arrangements and scheme and is used for any formal consultation. The relevant area for agreement has not changed and covers the entirety of Southend-on-Sea plus the bordering areas of Castle Point and Rochford.

Decision

Admission Arrangements

1. That the consultation with the governing bodies of community schools on the propose Published Admission Numbers set out at Appendix 1, be approved.
2. That Authority to the Executive Director for Children’s Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education, to determine the final PANs following consideration of the consultation responses, provided no material objections are received.  Where Executive Director for Children’s Services considers material objections are received a further report shall be brought to Cabinet for determination.
3. Other than the PAN, the Community School Admission Arrangements, as identified in the Admissions Arrangements for Community Schools for the academic year 2028/29 and set out in Appendix 1, be agreed; and

Relevant Area

1. That the relevant area for schools remain unchanged: Southend-on-Sea, Castle Point and Rochford for the years 2028/2029; and

Coordinated Admissions Scheme

1. That the Coordinated Admissions Scheme for 2028/29, as set out in Appendix 2, to be sent out to all schools for consultation be agreed; and
2. That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Children and Public Health to:

(i.) make minor amendments to the scheme based on the consultation with the schools;

(ii.) prepare the final version of the Coordinated Admissions Scheme 2028/29 in December; and

(iii.) publish it by 1 January 2027.

Reasons for the decision

As set out in the report.

Alternative options considered

Admission Arrangements for Community Schools

In addition to the statutory steps, the Council could decide to hold a public consultation annually on the full set of admission arrangements for all community schools in the City. 

A public consultation is not required as no changes are proposed. To do so, would create unnecessary administrative burden and cost, as well as raise possible public expectations or concern that change is being considered or required.

Not undertaking a public consultation does not change the requirement that the Council must consult Governing Bodies of community schools on their Admission arrangements and in particular their PAN. 

The Relevant Area

The Council is required by statute to confirm this area annually.

Coordinated Admissions Scheme

The Council could decide to not amend the Coordinated Admission Scheme this year, as the changes are only administrative.  However, we would still need to consult with the schools and admission authorities to ensure that they do not request amendments.

With any decision to amend the coordinated admissions scheme, the Council are legally required to go through this process.