Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services which provided an update on the processes and work around school admissions and school organisation, the issues arising and anticipated trends. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 10’, is filed with these minutes.

The Cabinet Lead Member for Children and Families stated that he was pleased with the performance of the admissions service, given that over 95% of children had secured their first preference school and over 99% had secured one of their preferences. He emphasised that this demonstrated the strength of policies relating to school-based planning and the robust execution of those policies by the Department. The Department had a clear strategy with nearly 5,000 new school places being delivered through the capital program, including for a significant number for children with SEND. He stated that the Department was operating effectively as it responded to growing demand at secondary level and to falling birth rates in some areas.

Arising from discussion, the following points were raised:

(i)            A question was raised relating to phase transfer allocations. The total number of applications had reduced from 7410 in 2022 to 7141 in 2025. This was in line with a reduction in the number of infant to junior school transfers, which had also decreased over the same period. However, the number of secondary transfers had increased from 7918 in 2022 to 8261 in 2025. The Director stated that this was a result of a significant increase in the transfer into secondary provision nationally, a reduction in the number of late applications received, changes to the independent schools’ sector, and a year-on-year migration of pupils from neighbouring authorities.

(ii)          Members noted that the causes of parents requesting a school place outside the normal admissions round or part-way through an academic year were recorded and monitored. The Department ensured that it had spare capacity within the school system in line with recommendations set by the National Audit Office so that parents have the opportunity to request a mid-term transfer. A Fair Access Panel supported parents in accessing an alternative school place for their child. In addition to this, the Inclusion Team supported pupils to access an alternative school place in cases where they had been removed the school roll without a permanent exclusion, referred to as off-rolling.

(iii)         It was reported that some primary schools had struggled to maintain balanced budgets, as a result of smaller cohorts in the lower primary school year groups, which was linked to a reduction in birth rate. The issue had presented unsustainable pupil numbers for some primary schools and academies. The Director stated that Leicestershire’s Planning Obligation Policy (LPOP) was under review and was likely to be adopted later in the year. A new school place planning strategy would be introduced as a result of this review. As part of this review, the Council would consult with schools regarding pupil capacity and review Pupil Admission Numbers (PAN) where necessary.

(iv)         With regards to the utilisation of Section 106 contributions in order to ensure sufficient school places, a pupil ratio yield was used to assess and seek development contributions for education facilities. The contributions received were allocated to projects which either delivered new school places or allowed for enhancements to be made to existing schools. As Section 106 contribution funding was agreed at the point of the planning application having been submitted and approved, rising costs, often within the construction sector, presented significant challenges in the delivery of school schemes within the original Section 106 contribution amendment. In addition, a number of developers had requested a new primary school to be built alongside a development in order to increase appeal. However, the pupil ratio yield often indicated that a new school would was not necessary.

(v)          A question was raised relating to whether a new secondary school was expected to be built within the Harborough district. The Director stated that the Council would be consulted on the sufficiency of school places within the area as part of the local plan process and would make a consideration for any new school against the pupil yield ratio. Members noted that the Council had an obligation to ensure the viability of the whole school system. As there were smaller cohorts of primary aged children across the county at the time, this was expected to affect the cohort of secondary aged school children in some years.

(vi)         In response to concern regarding a reduction in Basic Need funding, capital funding from the Department of Education (DfE) for the provision of additional mainstream school places, the Director stated that the Department would approach DfE if there was an impact in the Council delivering its statutory obligation for ensuring a sufficient supply of school places.

RESOLVED:

That the update on the processes and work around school admissions and school organisation, the issues arising and anticipated trends, be noted.