Issue - meetings

This report is an update on actions taken by Officers to ensure an effective strategy, that has been agreed with all Bath secondary schools and academies (schools), to secure sufficiency of secondary school places in the Greater Bath Consortium (GBC) Planning Area for the future.

The Director of Education Transformation introduced this report to the Panel.

She explained that during 2018 as the school admissions process progressed it became clear that a number of additional secondary school places would be required for the GBC Planning Area for Year 7 admissions in September 2018.  She said that the projected pupil numbers indicated there were sufficient places for all Bath residents, however as some of these places were able to be taken up by pupils from outside of the Bath area, there were insufficient places for Bath children.

She stated that the Council introduced a new admissions process for September 2018 Year 7 admissions onwards which allowed parents to name five school preferences on their application form, sufficient to name all schools in Bath. She explained that the majority of Bath parents chose not to indicate five preferences, which contributed to pupils from outside of Bath being able to obtain a place. She added that the legal framework for school admissions means that the Council cannot prevent this from happening.

The Panel were shown a video relating to School Admissions, the video can be seen at:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9n2MTnQVcA&feature=youtu.be

She informed the Panel that officers from the People and Communities Department consulted with the Bath Education Trust (BET) and met with the Headteachers or their representatives, from all of the Bath secondary schools within the GBC Planning Area to agree the provision of additional places for September 2018 admissions.

She said that schools were also invited to submit proposals to support the provision of future additional places in the medium to longer term from 2019 onwards to meet the future projected increase in demand based on the pattern of applications for places seen in 2018.

She explained that as a result of the discussions with schools, some additional places have been created for Year 7 admissions in 2018 and further additional places will be created for admissions in 2019 onwards. She said that a total of 118 additional places per year group are planned to be provided, for admissions in 2020 onwards.

The Chair asked if the parents of Year 6 pupils are sent a package of information relating to the admissions process.

The Education Business Manager replied that all of the relevant information is contained on the Council’s website.

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/schools-colleges-and-learning/admissions-schools

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the video shown would be sent to all Headteachers.

The Director of Education Transformation replied that Headteachers of all Primary and Secondary Schools will be sent the video and encouraged to share it with parents.

Councillor Matt Cochrane asked if the Council were to undertake any other measures to ensure the message is circulated as widely as possible.

The Education Business Manager replied that the Council’s Communications Team were also expected to do a release of information on this matter.

The Corporate Director added that Ward Councillors have a role to play in the process by advising parents appropriately if asked for advice.

Councillor Sally Davis suggested that a link to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36