The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning Decisions meeting on Tuesday 29 September 2026 agreed to commence a statutory public consultation on proposed changes to school admissions arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for September 2028. The meeting also noted that the reallocation of £1.5 million in funding for the West Hill School project to change its age range and designation is subject to the outcome of a public consultation and approval from the Department for Education. Additionally, the meeting agreed to a bidding process for the distribution of the remaining balance of the Tulk Fund for school sports facilities.

Consultation on Admissions Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools for September 2028

The council agreed to commence a statutory public consultation on proposed changes to admissions arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for September 2028. This includes a reduction in the Published Admissions Number (PAN) at Banstead Community Junior School from 90 to 60, and the removal of the catchment area for Stamford Green Primary School and Nursery. The decision was made in response to a decline in birth rates and pupil numbers across the county. The consultation period will run from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, with admissions arrangements needing to be determined by 28 February 2027. The council also agreed to delegate decision-making on any further proposed PAN reductions during the consultation to the Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, in discussion with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning.

SEND Capital Programme: West Hill School Change of Age Range

It was noted that the reallocation of £1.5 million in funding for the West Hill School project to change its age range and designation is subject to the outcome of a public consultation led by The Howard Partnership Trust and approval from the Department for Education. This funding, in addition to £500,000 previously approved, will contribute to a total of £2 million from the SEND Capital budget. The project aims to create 50 additional specialist school places for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) aged 11-16, by extending the school's age range from 4-11 to 4-16 years. The designation will change from Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) to a dual designation of MLD/SLD. The project aligns with the Surrey Inclusion and Additional Needs Partnership Strategy and aims to reduce reliance on non-maintained and independent school places.

Proposal to Distribute the Balance of the Tulk Fund for School Sports Facilities

The remaining balance of approximately £126,000 from the Tulk Fund for school sports facilities will be distributed to Surrey secondary schools through a bidding process. Schools will be invited to submit proposals for capital projects to improve sports facilities, with bids to be submitted by 13 November 2026. A final list of allocations will be approved by 11 December 2026, with the decision delegated to the Executive Director for Children and Families and Lifelong Learning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning. The Tulk Fund was originally established to purchase playing fields for secondary schools and has since been used for sports facilities. The fund is restricted to maintained secondary schools and academies.

A public question was also addressed regarding the council's policy on transport provision for children with special educational needs. The response clarified that school placement decisions and travel assistance decisions are made under different legal frameworks, and that while a specialist school placement is determined by a child's needs, it does not automatically guarantee travel assistance. Each application for travel assistance is considered on its individual merits, in line with the council's policy and relevant legislation. The definition of exceptional circumstances for transport provision is not fixed and takes into account all relevant information provided by families and professionals.