The Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee met on Wednesday 12 July 2023 to discuss pupil place projections and grammar school admissions. The committee noted presentations on both topics and agreed to receive further statistics on grammar school admissions.

Pupil Place Projections

The School Organisation and Place Planning Manager presented an overview of pupil place projections, highlighting a national decline in primary and state school pupils. Factors contributing to this decline in Redbridge include a falling birth rate, uncertainty following Brexit, the global pandemic, and a lack of affordable housing. The borough has experienced a surplus of reception places for the last three years, with a 7% surplus on average. While Year 7 roll figures have stabilised, a projected decline in the primary population will eventually impact secondary school numbers.

Officers are working with schools to manage a potential reduction in pupil admissions from 2025, ensuring that school numbers are sustained to meet future demand. A consultation on these changes is planned for Autumn, with results to be presented to Cabinet in February 2024. The sub-committee resolved to note the presentation and the ensuing discussion.

Grammar School Education

The Assistant Team Manager, Admissions Awards and Complaints, and the School Organisation and Place Planning Manager provided a presentation on grammar school education in Redbridge, focusing on Ilford County High School for Boys and Woodford County High School for Girls. For September 2023 admissions, 2,741 registrations were received, with 2,316 pupils sitting the 11+ test.

Admissions arrangements were updated in 2028/29 to include Pupil Premium, offering children from less affluent backgrounds a chance to attend grammar school. While 45 places (25%) at each school are allocated to Pupil Premium eligible children, only 27 at Ilford County High School and 28 at Woodford County High School were taken up for September 2023. Redbridge is recognised among the top 10 local authorities in England for school quality.

The Operational Director of Education and Inclusion (ODEI) noted that demand for the 11+ test continues to rise, with applications from outside Redbridge impacting council budgets. He also highlighted that while 45 places are reserved for disadvantaged pupils, only about half are taken up. This is partly attributed to the financial resources required for additional tuition to prepare for the 11+ exam. The ODEI also confirmed that the admissions service has a robust system for verifying residency and that parents are provided with accurate information to make informed decisions.

The sub-committee resolved to note the presentation and requested that additional information and statistics be circulated to members, which was done on 13 July 2023. Councillor Pushpita Gupta declared an interest in this item.

Future Meetings

The sub-committee noted the dates for future meetings and indicative items of business. The meeting on 14 November 2023 will cover GCSE and A Level Examination Results for 2023, and Special Schools/Additional Resource Provision in mainstream schools. The meeting on 24 January 2024 will focus on Alternative Provision, Pupil Referral Units, daytime toilet facilities for pupils with special and medical needs, and home education. The sub-committee resolved to note these dates and to contact absent members to gather suggestions for their work programme.