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School admission arrangements 2020/21

Published: 14/03/2019

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved school admissions arrangements for 2019/20.

The annual consultation exercise with school governors, diocesan authorities and neighbouring councils took place during January and February. It looked at the number of pupils which can be admitted to individual schools, based on nationally determined criteria and regulations.

In Flintshire, the vast majority (around 96%) of parental preferences continue to be met with a relatively low number of appeals.  It is anticipated that oversubscription will continue particularly at secondary level in some areas of the County as a consequence of a larger cohort in Year 6 and parental preference.

School transfers during the year 2017/18 totalled 1228 (831 primary and 397 secondary) which is a similar number to other authorities in Wales.  Although some transfers are unavoidable, any transfer can cause disruption to a learner’s education, therefore it is suggested that the following wording be included in the policy:

“The Local Authority discourages transfers between schools, and a change of school mid-term can seriously disrupt the continuity of a child’s education. If parents feel that a problem at school is so serious as to necessitate a change they are urged to take all reasonable steps to resolve the issue with the school first and then to seek advice from the Admissions Team if necessary before applying for a transfer. In cases involving school transfer requests that do not involve a house move, the Local Authority reserves the right to arrange for the child to start the new school at the beginning of the next half term to minimise disruption to their own and other children’s education. All secondary schools have mid-year transition programmes that will support pupils who are undertaking a mid-phase transfer. The programmes include extended visits to school by parents/carers and pupils”.

Some Welsh local authorities already include similar wording in their policies.

There are proposed changes to the admission numbers in two schools to reflect changes in accommodation.  These are Ysgol Derwenfa, Leeswood and Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, Mold. In both cases the admission numbers have been decreased following consultation with the respective head teachers.

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Youth, Councillor Ian Roberts, said:

“I am pleased that most children in Flintshire are, once again, able to attend the school of their choice. I would like to urge parents and carers to complete their online applications by the required date.  I would also like to thank all those who took part in the recent consultation exercise and I am confident that the vast majority of parental preferences will continue to be met.”