Agenda item

KEY DECISION

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive agreed:

1.      1. To the proposed changes to the over subscription criteria for Local Authority Voluntary Controlled and Community Primary Schools.

2.      

3.     2. To the proposed changes to the over subscription criteria for Local Authority Voluntary Controlled and Community Secondary Schools.

4.      

3.     3. To determine the Admission Arrangements for all Local Authority Voluntary Controlled and Community Primary Schools for 2025/26.

4.     

5.     4. To determine the Admission Arrangements for all Local Authority Voluntary Controlled and Community Secondary Schools for 2025/26.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Bill Revans, invited the Lead Member for Children, Families and Education, Cllr Heather Shearer, to introduce the report.

The Lead Member for Children, Families and Education, Cllr Heather Shearer, introduced the report highlighting that  Admission Authorities are required by the School Admissions Code and associated legislation to determine their admission arrangements annually and the Executive, acting as the Admission Authority for all Somerset Voluntary Controlled and Community schools is required to fulfil this function in relation to the 2025/26 admission arrangements.

The Strategic Manager, Head of Education Places, Phil Curd, added to the above points, highlighting: that the admission arrangements affect 94 schools - 92 schools in primary phase and two secondary places; the six week period of public consultation.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Bill Revans, invited comments from other Members present, questions and points raised included: the support for the amendments to the report and the challenges in recruiting teachers.

The Lead Member for Children, Families and Education, Cllr Heather Shearer, proposed and the Lead Member for Transformation and Human Resources, Cllr Theo Butt Philip, seconded an amendment to Appendix 1:

·       Priority at an infant school for pupils with siblings attending the linked junior school remains in the primary over-subscription criteria for community and voluntary controlled schools.

The Executive proceeded to vote on the recommendations, which were agreed unanimously.????

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive agreed:

1. To the proposed changes to the over subscription criteria for Local Authority Voluntary Controlled and Community Primary Schools.

2. To the proposed changes to the over subscription criteria for Local Authority Voluntary Controlled and Community Secondary Schools.

3. To determine the Admission Arrangements for all Local Authority Voluntary Controlled and Community Primary Schools for 2025/26.

4. To determine the Admission Arrangements for all Local Authority Voluntary Controlled and Community Secondary Schools for 2025/26.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED: As set out in the officer report.???

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the officer report.?