Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services providing statistical information on Admissions into Reception and year 7 for September 2013. The report notes the rising birth rate in Leeds and assesses how this is affecting entry into both primary and secondary schools.  In addition, the report further considers the effect on the application process of the timing of Free Schools being approved by the DfE and the interaction with the current Admission policy.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report providing statistical information on Admissions into Reception and Year 7 for September 2013. The report noted the rising birth rate in Leeds and assessed how this was affecting entry into both primary and secondary schools.  In addition, the report further considered the effect upon the application process of the timing of Free Schools being approved by the Department for Education (DfE) and the interaction with the current Admission policy.

Responding to a specific request, officers undertook to provide the Member in question with further details regarding the circumstances around those children who could not be offered any of their stated preferences in terms of primary schools.

Members then discussed the current admission rates in respect of the Jewish Free School, which was given approval to open from September 2013.

RESOLVED –That the following be noted:-

·  The percentage of successful first preferences for secondary admissions was 84% and for Reception admissions was 85%.

·  The percentage of parents receiving one of their top three preferences was 94%.

·  The number of appeals for Reception has decreased slightly although more have been successful.

·  The timing of the confirmation of Free Schools opening has led to late adjustments to availability of places.