Re: Norfolk's Admission Arrangements Consultation for September 2007

I attach Children's Services consultation document on proposed admission arrangements for September 2007 for your consideration.

All admission authorities in Norfolk, including Foundation and Voluntary Aided schools, are required to consult with other schools on their proposed admission arrangements for the September 2007 even if the governors do not propose to amend the current arrangements. Children's Services has prepared a website to enable admission authorities to undertake this consultation which can be found at Consultation Closed and I suggest that if you are a Foundation or Voluntary Aided school, you forward an electronic copy of your proposed arrangements to admissions@norfolk.gov.uk in order to comply with your statutory responsibility.

You will be aware that the School Admissions Code of Practice 2003 recommends that all children who are looked after by the local authority are given top priority in all schools over-subscription criteria. The criteria for community and voluntary controlled schools already gives looked after children the highest priority and a number of foundation and voluntary aided schools have also amended their criteria to comply. However a number of foundation and voluntary aided schools still do not give priority to looked after children and to resolve the situation the Department for Education and Skills is about to introduce Regulations to require this from September 2007. This will mean that any school which does not give highest priority to looked after children will be acting unlawfully. Once the Regulations are in force the Authority will challenge any admission authorities that do not change their arrangements accordingly. Where an admission authority does not then make this change the case will be referred to the DfES Schools Adjudicator for determination.

All Admission authorities must conclude their consultation by 28th February 2006 and finally determine their arrangements by 15th April 2003 at the latest. Children's Services requires all responses to its consultation by Monday 20th February 2006 so that this can properly inform the final arrangements to be approved by the County Council Cabinet.

I would strongly encourage you, wherever possible, to submit your response to this consultation electronically using the website at Consultation Closed/strong>.

Please note that consultation on proposed admission numbers for Norfolk schools has been sent separately by Simon Connor, Planning and Buildings and is included in the eCourier of 13 January 2006, MI 8/06.

Consultation Document