Most receive first choice secondary school place
Discussions were shaped by key issues relating to the current COVID-19 pandemic at the School Places and Planning sub-group meeting of 7th May 2020. These included whether secondary admissions deadlines should be moved later to allow schools time to rearrange open events and whether there should be any changes to 11+ arrangements for the current year 5 cohort. Members then shared their concerns around post-16 transition arrangements, as pupils would not have taken GCSEs, with a view to monitoring outcomes and pathway choices in the autumn term. Although none of these issues could be resolved immediately, the Local Authority reassured members that it is talking with the DfE and neighbouring boroughs and will make decisions quickly to allow schools and the LA admissions team time to change arrangements and the schools brochure if necessary.
In the autumn term, the sub-group plans to revisit the allocation of places in resourced provisions and admissions criteria for these places as well as being involved in work around medical needs and alternative provision.
Members were informed that there were some 0.9% fewer applications for secondary school places for September 2020, with 78% of pupils receiving their first choice school and 97% receiving one of their six preferences. Both figures are higher than last year.
