Decision details

8.1

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services which sought approval to determine the proposed admission arrangements for 2025/26, including the oversubscription criteria and co-ordinated admission schemes for primary and secondary schools.

8.2

8.3

8.3.1

8.4

8.4.1

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee:

1. The oversubscription criteria for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools for 2025/26 (including for external Sixth Forms)

2. Proposed Admission Numbers for 2025/26

3. The statutory Primary and Secondary co-ordinated admission schemes for 2025/26

Reasons for Decision

The recommendation to approve the proposed admission arrangements for 2025/26 will ensure that the Authority carries out its statutory duty to consult and determine its admission arrangements for the 2025/26 academic year, including:

1. The oversubscription criteria (Including external Sixth Forms)

2. The proposed Admission Numbers

3. The statutory Primary and Secondary co-ordinated admission schemes.

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The Admissions Review was a City-wide consultation which asked whether the current admission arrangements were still supported and were still fit for purpose. There continues to be a high level of support for the current arrangements and the current arrangements continue to deliver a high level of preferences met.

For the 2023 intakes for example a total of 95.34% were offered their first preference primary schools compared to a national average 92.5%. A total of 99.08% were offered one of their three preferred schools. For Year 7 admission to Secondary school 88.46% were offered a preferred secondary school compared to a national average of 82.6%. A total of 96.29% were offered one of their three preferred schools.