Councillor Tamoor Tariq presented the report on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People which sought approval to consult on making changes to the admissions policy for maintained secondary schools. Members noted the proposal was to remove catchment areas and the associated oversubscription criterion giving pupils residing in a designated catchment area priority for admission to Community secondary schools in the borough. The changes, if adopted, would come into effect for applications for secondary school places for the academic year 2024/25 and would apply to all Community secondary schools in the borough.
In response to Members’ questions it was noted that the detail of the consultation was still being developed, as it was crucial this was done right. With regards to Academy admissions, it was noted that the Council had good relationships with the Academies in the borough and an amicable position would be reached with them before consultation. It was also noted that the upcoming White Paper on schools might throw up some challenges.
Decision:
Cabinet:
1. Gave approval to consult on proposed changes to admission arrangements for maintained secondary schools; and
2. Noted that further recommendations will be made to Cabinet following the consultation process.
Reasons for the decision:
· Catchment areas in Bury have not been reviewed for many years and as a number of secondary schools have closed over time, their previous catchment areas have been amalgamated with other school’s existing catchment areas.
· As new housing developments have been constructed and continue to be developed, this has resulted in some catchment areas being very large and each school may not have the capacity to accommodate the growing number of children residing within its designated catchment area. In some cases, children reside in a catchment area of a school which is further away and less accessible than their nearest geographically located school.
· The majority of secondary schools in Bury have converted to Academies, or are in discussions about conversion, and as such are, or will be, free to determine their own admission arrangements. Furthermore, Bury Council is committed to delivering a new secondary school in Radcliffe, working in collaboration with Star Academy Trust and the Department for Education (DfE). The school is to be located in Radcliffe and is expected to admit its first cohort of pupils in September 2024. This will also impact on the current designated catchment areas.
· Analysis of transfer applications for 2021 indicates that a large proportion of families are disregarding their catchment area school when stating their preferences.
· Discussions have taken place with neighbouring LA’s as to their admission arrangements. Removing catchment areas would align with our neighbouring LA’s admissions policies whilst complying with the School Admissions Code.
Other options considered and rejected:
To retain existing admission arrangements for maintained secondary schools would not be viable due to the reasons stated above.