To: Chair of Governors Foundation and VA Primary and Secondary Schools ONLY

Dear Colleague

Admissions Consultation - September 2004 Admissions

I attach the LEA consultation document on proposed admission arrangements for September 2004 for your consideration. The consultation document highlights a significant number of changes which result from the Education Act 2002, a revised Admission Code of Practice and new Regulations regarding admissions. Admission arrangements continue to become more high profile and the changes focus on ensuring that school admissions are open and fair for all parents and their children.

The major changes highlighted in this document were raised by the LEA in our consultation exercise for the 2003 admission round. These changes were not implemented for the 2003 admission round, as it was clear that the DfES would finalise the legislation and code for the 2004 admission round. Final drafts of the documents are now available on the DfES web site as detailed in section 6 of this document. The documents are currently laid before Parliament and it is not anticipated that these will now be subject to any further significant change. The DfES are expecting to confirm the final code and regulations on 20 January 2003.

There has not been a relaxation on the legal timescales for consultation on arrangements for September 2004 admissions. All Foundation and V.A. schools must consult with all other Norfolk schools on their proposed admission arrangements for the September 2004 intake even if the governors propose not to amend the current arrangements.

All Admission authorities must conclude their consultation by 28^th February 2003 and finally determine their arrangements by 15^th April 2003 at the latest. The LEA requires all responses to its consultation by 14 February 2003 so that this can inform the final arrangements to be approved by the County Council Cabinet.

A web site is currently being prepared to help all admission authorities undertake their statutory consultation and separate guidance on this will be forwarded shortly.

A meeting will be arranged during the first half of the Spring Term to discuss the Secondary co-ordination scheme with Foundation and V.A. High schools and information about this will also be forwarded early in the Spring Term.

Yours sincerely

Assistant Director ( Pupil Access and Community Services)

cc. Headteacher.