Decision details

1. To seek agreement to adhere to a change in the Department for Education statutory guidance around admissions appeals and introduce charges to all schools (Voluntary Aided, Foundation, Voluntary Controlled and Community Schools) to hear their school admission appeals (Option 5).

2. To note that a consistent level of charging would be applied to academy schools who are already charged for this service.

3. Subject to the above, to implement the charges from 1 April 2021

DECISION MADE

I confirm the decision made as proposed in the attached report (Option 5).

This decision was published on 24 March 2021 and will come into effect on 1 April 2021.

12. To ensure council compliance with the Statutory Guidance on Schemes for Financing Local Authority (LA) Maintained Schools.

7. Option 1 – To provide admission appeals to all schools free of charge.

8. Option 2- To request a transfer from Schools Forum to top-slice maintained school budgets (dedicated schools block) to provide a subsidy.

9. Option 3- To increase the central schools services block (a dedicated schools grant block) to provide a subsidy. 

10. Option 4 -To charge the service at full cost recovery which includes a portion of back office overhead. 

11. Option 5 – Introduce the same level of charges for all schools. The charges applied would not include full cost recovery.

4. Schools Forum have been consulted and voted against options 2 and 3 explained in the main report. The Schools Traded Task Group have also been consulted an expressed a view on option 4, and preference for option 5. Schools Forum have received regular updates, on the proposal, most recently at the meeting on 11th March 2021.

5. All Voluntary Aided, Foundation, Voluntary Controlled and Community schools were made aware of the Council’s intention to implement charges during 1 July- 30 September 2020 as a result of changes to government guidance, and were invited to respond to a survey indicating whether they would require an appeals services from Wiltshire Council.

6. If the proposal in this paper is agreed, further awareness raising will be undertaken.