Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Executive Education Leeds providing an update on the initial preferences and the impact on demand for September 2010

(Report attached)

The Chief Executive Education Leeds submitted a report providing an update on the initial preferences and the impact on demand for school places for September 2010

Addressing the report Mrs Buckland said that although there would be a general demographic decline in young people entering secondary school over the next few years there were approximately the same numbers entering in September 2010 as there were in September 2009.  Demand overall had therefore remained broadly similar. 

The birth rate had been rising for the last couple of years and there was now a small, but increasing number of primary schools who would be unable to accommodate their nearest children. The number of primary schools oversubscribed on first preferences was increasing with 79 schools to date, that said, there are still some surplus places within the primary sector. 

Main Issues

Primary Sector

There are slightly more schools this year where nearest children were unlikely to be offered places.  However, the Admission Team were still receiving a number of changes including new preferences as well as information on children who have moved out of the area and no longer require places.  At present there were 22 schools where it may be difficult to offer all the nearest children places.  The situation was being monitored to ensure that children who would be unable to access a school within a reasonable distance were identified.

There were a small number of schools who were experiencing a very high sibling year which does affect the places available for other children.  Parents who might otherwise expect to gain places at some schools may face disappointment, but in a number of cases this was a one year problem. 30 community or voluntary controlled schools had first preferences where 50% or more of their admission limit were siblings, with 33% of preferences across the City being siblings.  There continues to be around 1000 more places across the primary sector, spread throughout the City, than there are preferences.  Although parental preferences are not met in all cases, there are reasonable alternatives available.  There had been an increase of around 370 applications over the same time last year.  It was anticipated that there would be a large number of applications which arrive after the offer day, as this typically occurs, and these would be managed accordingly.  It is believed that the change in legislation to introduce a national closing date for applications would improve this position in the future if the government take the opportunity for national advertising, as they do with tax returns.

Secondary

Roundhay High School continues to be oversubscribed, although there were a number of the neighbouring schools who were experiencing a decline in preferences and there are sufficient places in the area.  Continuing to build on last year’s popularity John Smeaton was oversubscribed again on first preferences.  There is a significant increase in preferences at Allerton High although there appears to be no issue with children who have the school as their nearest, the additional demand is coming from families further a field. 

There are no obvious causes for concern in the secondary sector for this forthcoming September.  Although there are changes to patterns of demand, and relative popularity with parents, the oversubscribed schools are under no greater pressure from nearest families and demand is largely from further a field.  Some popular schools were less well subscribed this year and this was mostly reflective of local demographic changes, rather than any concerns parents are expressing about the schools.

In conclusion Mrs Buckland said the early indications with Reception preferences is that there were an increasing number of hotspots, however, there continues to be sufficient primary places available within the City.  Issues may arise with late preferences after the offer day, and parents at that stage may find that the nearest school offered is some distance away.  With secondary applications the hotspots were significantly reducing and whilst demand remains high for some schools the issue of accessing a nearest school was continuing to fall.  There were fewer pressure points in terms of nearest children although it should be expected that some popular schools would continue to remain oversubscribed leading to unmet demand.  This is a natural consequence of an equal preference system whereby parents are encouraged to be aspirational in expressing their preferences.

Oversubscribed Secondary schools for September 2010

In passing comment the Chair suggested that it would be an interesting exercise to ascertain the reasons for parent’s preferencing a popular school.

In providing a response Officers confirmed that such information could be obtained and be the subject of a report to the Forum at a future date

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  That a report identifying the reasons why parents preference   popular schools be brought back to the Forum at a later date