Admission Forum Annual Report 2013 - 2014
Admission Authority: Vale of Glamorgan
Secretary to the Forum: Paula Jones
Contact details: 01446 709725
Address: Provincial House, Kendrick Road, Barry CF62 8BF
Membership and attendance of the Forum
Name
Cllr C Elmore
Position
Chair
Time served as
Forum Member *
2 years
Membership by category
(see table below)
LA
5 years (26/9/13)
LA
Paula Ham
Vice Chair
Lisa Lewis
Access & Policy Manager,
Strategy, Community Learning
& Resources
Complex needs assessment
and school liaison officer
Cabinet Member
2 years
LA
5 years (26/9/13)
LA
2 years
LA
Diocesan Director of Statutory
Education
Roman Catholic Diocesan
Director
Headteacher, Stanwell
Foundation School
Headteacher, Llantwit Major
School
Headteacher, Wick and
4 years (26/9/14)
CIW
4 years (26/9/14)
RC
4 years (26/9/14)
S/F
5 years (26/9/13)
S/CV
3 years
S/VA
Jane Werrett
Cllr Fred Johnson
Rev Edwin Counsell
Anne Robertson
Derek Jones
Vince Browne
Ceri Thomas
1
Norman Craggs
Claire Kynaston,
Sian Lewis
Rhian Andrew
Marcross CIW Aided Primary
School
VSGA governor representative
(Primary)
VSGA governor representative
(Foundation)
Headteacher, Fairfield Primary
School
Headteacher, Ysgol Sant
Baruc
5 years (26/9/13)
L/COM
4 years (26/9/14)
PG
6 months
S/CV
6 months
S/CV
*If served more than 4 years also include date of re-election.
Acronyms for Core Members
Members Nominated by
LA - any member or officer of the authority
Church in Wales Diocesan representatives
Roman Catholic Diocesan representatives
Schools - community and voluntary controlled
Schools - foundation
Schools - voluntary aided
Parent governor representatives
Representatives of the local community
Core Membership
Acronym
1 to 5
1 to 3
1 to 3
1 to 3
1 to 3
1 to 3
1 to 3
Up to 3
LA, LA/SEN, LA/LAC
CIW
RC
S/CV
S/F
S/VA
PG
L/COM
2
Meeting dates and attendance
Date
Number of Forum Members
in attendance - by category
First meeting
26th September 2013
7 (4 x LA, 1x L/COM, 1 x S/F, 1 x PG)
Second meeting
6th February 2014
7 (3 x LA, 1 x S/F, 1 x CIW, 1x S/CV, 1xL/COM)
Third meeting
4th July 2014
9 (3 x LA, 1 x RC, 1 x PG, 1 x L/COM, 3 x S/CV)
Please confirm whether admission authorities within the forum area have completed the consultation and determination of
admission arrangements process within the timescales required by the Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements)
(Wales) Regulations 2006 [including consultation on the arrangements by 1 March in the determination year and determination
of the final arrangements by 15 April of that year].
The Vale of Glamorgan admission authority consulted and determined its admission arrangements within the required timescales. The
Admission forum were consulted on the 26th September 2013 and approved in principle the changes proposed. The results of the
consultation process, including changes to the proposed admission arrangements for 2015/16 were considered by the forum on 6th
February 2014 and approved by cabinet on 24 March 2014.
The Welsh Government, through the Welsh Schools Admission Officers’ Group, have previously asked LA`s to monitor that their aided
schools have admissions policies that are compliant with the School Admissions Code, that they consult on their admission policies
within the timescale required by the Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2006. The forum
continues to monitor adherence to this requirement and address the matter with individual Admission Authorities.
If any admission authority has not met the timescales please give details here.
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The forum has concluded that the majority of denominational and Foundations schools required to consult on their own admission
arrangements did so within the required timescales. The only exception to this was Pendoylan C/W Primary School who have been
contacted on behalf of the forum to remind them of the need to comply with the Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements)
(Wales) Regulations 2006. Feedback issued by Welsh Government to individual admission authorities relating to the content of their
oversubscription criteria and information to parents has also been brought to the attention of the Forum and a representative of the
forum has discussed this with the schools concerned. It has been agreed that additional support will be offered to Pendoylan C/W
Primary School to ensure that they comply with the regulations for this forthcoming consultation period.
How many consultation documents have you seen from admission authorities (not including other local authorities)?
5 – Stanwell School, St Richard Gwyn, All Saints C/W Primary School, St Helen’s RC Junior School, St Josephs RC Primary School
What admission arrangements have been put in place to serve the interests of vulnerable children?
Admission arrangements now include alongside LAC, previously LAC pupils in the highest ranking priority as required by the Statutory
Admissions Code 2013.
A managed move protocol has been adopted following consultation with the Admissions Forum and all schools which provides an
opportunity for parents, pupils and LA officers to meet to identify issues in an open forum. This protocol was introduced during the
academic year 2013/14 with all schools now engaging actively in the process.
The Forum acknowledged that the School Access team work closely with appropriate teams to ensure that the needs of those children
are met and that they are admitted to schools as quickly as possible. Key officers and teams responsible for the needs of vulnerable
groups, including LAC Education, Youth Offending Service, English as an Additional Language (EAL/Gypsy & Travellers), Behaviour
Support Team and ALN co-ordinators are represented on the Admissions Forum.
Have they proved successful?
Yes. Although in the early stages, the changes to the oversubscription criteria with regard to previously LAC pupils has helped identify at
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an early stage several vulnerable pupils.
The success of the Managed Moves protocol can be evidenced by the fact that for the first time since the academic year 2008/09 no
child has been permanently excluded during the academic year 2013/14. The officer responsible for coordinating this important initiative
is an active member of the Forum and provides timely reports to the forum on progress.
What other arrangements have you identified to support these children?
The forum has also reviewed the role and terms of reference of the Difficult to Engage Panel in order to ensure admission arrangements
within the authority are supportive of the important work undertaken by this Panel. This was found to be effective as evidenced by
improved attendance and the low rate of exclusions. This Panel has been successful in managing our most challenging pupils by working
creatively across service areas to consider all available options to engage. A mapping exercise undertaken via the Youth Engagement
and Progression Framework has led to a targeted action plan being put into place which is aimed at reducing NEETs. Although in its
early stages, this is already proving to be successful.
How well have the agreed in-year admission procedures worked?
The issue of in year admissions is discussed openly at the forum who has recorded their satisfaction with regard to the significant
improvements in this area with regard to the timescale for finalizing all arrangements. In year admissions are managed effectively and
completion timescales have improved. The Forum have determined that delays of ten days or more are due to factors such as delays
with families moving home rather than factors within the control of the admission authority. Managed moves, although successfully
managed also can take longer than ten days.
How many children have been admitted to each school under the procedures?
Please see table below
Have you identified an increase in numbers for in-year admissions, if so what action has been identified to address the issue?
There has only been a minor increase in applications overall. In year applications are a regular agenda item.
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School
Albert Primary School
Barry Comprehensive School
Barry Island Primary School
Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School
Cadoxton Primary School
Cogan Primary School
Colcot Primary School
Cowbridge Comprehensive School
Dinas Powys Infant School
Eagleswell Primary School
Evenlode Primary School
Fairfield Primary School
Gladstone Primary School (Barry)
Gwenfo C/W Primary School
High Street Primary School
Holton Primary School
Jenner Park Primary School
Llancarfan Primary School
Llandough Primary School
Llanfair Primary School
Llangan Primary School
Llanilltud Fawr Primary School
Llantwit Major High School
Murch Junior School
Oak Field Primary School
Palmerston Primary School
Peterston-Super-Ely C/W Primary School
Rhws Primary School
Romilly Primary
St Athan Primary School
St Cyres Comprehensive School
St Illtyd Primary School
St Nicholas C/W Primary School
Sully Primary School
Victoria Primary School = 31
2
Y Bont Faen Primary School = 11 1
Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg = 7 1
no of applications
22
26
12
38
27
18
28
37
4
8
28
25
42
5
15
30
20
10
12
11
15
11
32
6
8
12
8
22
48
38
69
20
8
16
no taking longer than ten days
( 3)
(10)
(0)
(15)
(1)
(2)
(5)
(5)
(0)
(0)
(2)
(8)
(1)
(0)
(2)
(2)
(3)
(1)
(0)
(0)
(1)
(5)
(5)
(2)
(1)
(3)
(0)
(0)
(6)
(3)
(22)
(0)
(0)
(2)
6
Victoria Primary School
Y Bont Faen Primary School
Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg
Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant
Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant
Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Talwg
Ysgol Iolo Morganwg
Ysgol Pen Y Garth
Ysgol Sant Baruc
Ysgol Sant Curig
31
11
7
2
4
2
4
9
6
10
(2)
(1)
(1)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Number of applications received during 13/14 = 797
Number processed in ten school days or less = 680 (85%)
What key admission issues have been identified for the area?
Effectiveness of catchment areas, some areas of limited places and surplus places.
What are they and how has the forum addressed them?
The validity of the Admission Arrangements in place is subject to scrutiny by the forum. Examples of this relate to catchment areas in
Barry which have been subject to review, leading to consultation, agreement and implementation of changes for the 2015/16 academic
year. The Forum received a School Organisation Update regularly to ensure they are fully informed of the progress being made to
address issues relating to admissions, school places and organisation.
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What methods has the Forum used to promulgate any advice or decisions it has reached?
The minutes, decisions and advice of the Forum are made available via the council website. Copies are available for all admission
authorities in the area. The decisions and advice of the forum is also reflected in the Parental Guide to School Admissions document.
Members of the forum are also active on other relevant groups and communicate the work of the Forum via these channels where
appropriate.
Date Forum’s advice published on Admission Authorities Website:
Please also provide the relevant link:
Signature:
(Secretary to the Forum)
Date:
Please return the completed report by 30 November 2014 to:
SchoolsManagementDivision3@wales.gsi.gov.uk
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School Admissions and Appeals
Name of
School
Admission
number
Number of
applications
Number of
successful
applications
Number
of
appeals
Number of
successful
appeals
Number of
appeals held
after 30 days
Number of
parental
preferences met
1st, 2nd or 3rd
Albert
48
48
48
0
0
0
48
Barry Island
30
29
29
0
0
0
29
Cadoxton
60
64
60
2
0
0
64
Cogan
30
34
30
0
0
0
34
Colcot
58
42
42
0
0
0
42
Dinas Powys
60
51
51
0
0
0
51
Eagleswell
30
28
28
0
0
0
28
Evenlode
60
65
60
3
0
0
65
Fairfield
47
38
38
0
0
0
38
Gladstone
60
58
58
0
0
0
58
Gwenfo
25
28
25
3
0
0
26
High Street
30
31
30
1
0
0
31
Holton
75
50
50
0
0
0
50
Jenner Park
39
48
41
2
2
0
48
Llancarfan
18
17
17
0
0
0
17
Llandough
27
28
28
0
0
0
28
Llanfair
18
18
18
0
0
0
18
Llangan
15
17
15
2
0
0
17
9
Llanilltud
Fawr
Oakfield
30
44
30
4
0
0
44
30
22
22
0
0
0
22
Palmerston
42
28
28
0
0
0
28
PeterstonSuper-Ely
Rhws
27
20
20
0
0
0
20
53
63
60
0
0
0
63
Romilly
90
88
88
0
0
0
88
St Athan
37
31
31
0
0
0
31
St Illtyd
54
52
52
0
0
0
52
St Nicholas
18
19
18
1
0
0
18
Sully
50
55
50
2
0
0
55
Victoria
60*(90)
90
90
0
0
0
90
Y Bont Faen
30
29
29
0
0
0
29
Ysgol Dewi
Sant
Ysgol Gwaun
Y Nant
Ysgol Nant
Talwg
Ysgolo Iolo
Morgannwg
Ysgol Pen Y
Garth
Ysgol Sant
Baruc
Ysgol Sant
Curig
30
19
19
0
0
0
19
60
37
37
0
0
0
37
30
34
2
2
0
34
27
22
32 (2 following
appeal)
22
0
0
0
22
60
50
50
0
0
0
50
30
27
27
0
0
0
27
60
57
57
0
0
0
57
10
Barry Comp
246
178
178
0
0
0
178
Bryn Hafren
224
131
131
0
0
0
131
Cowbridge
240
255
255
0
0
0
255
Llantwit Major 210
125
125
0
0
0
125
St Cyres
210
179
179
0
0
0
179
Ysgol Bro
Morgannwg
189
151
151
0
0
0
151
2500
2449
22
4
0
2497
Total 2849
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