Proposed Admission Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools 2025/26

Activity closed. Results published.

Background

Local Authorities have a statutory responsibility to determine admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools in their area, including school admission numbers, by 28 February each year. In doing this, local authorities must comply with the requirements of the School Admissions Code and all relevant legislation.

Where changes to the admission arrangements are proposed, consultation must take place between 1 October and 31 January and must last for a minimum of 6 weeks.

What we are proposing

You can see the full set of proposed admission arrangements here [94KB] . We're proposing the following changes:

1. Aldermaston church of England CE Primary School - admission number reduction

The current Published Admission Number (PAN) is 28 and we are consulting to reduce the number to 15. This will be the limit to the number of children that will be offered places in September 2025 into reception. Reducing the admission number to 15 is vital for the school to manage class sizes within the statutory Infant Class Size guidelines.

The current 5 year average number of catchment area children allocated is 9. First preferences and allocations have followed a similar pattern, with a 5 year average of 12 first preferences and 14 allocated each year. These trends have become established and consistent across the most recent five-year period. Given that the trends are consistent and that the catchment population is stable, we would expect allocations to continue at a similar level to recent years across the five-year forecast horizon. 

This change will ensure the school can structure mixed age group classes of no more than 30 children.
 

2. Pangbourne Primary School - admission number reduction

The current Published Admission Number (PAN) is 30 and we are consulting to reduce the number to 20. This will be the limit to the number of children that will be offered places in September 2025 into reception. Reducing the admission number to 20 is vital for the school to manage class sizes within the statutory Infant Class Size guidelines.

Pangbourne Primary School has seen a drop in allocations for the last 3 years. This is due in part to a declining catchment population and also due to families making different choices. 

The current 5 year average catchment allocation is 17 and represents around 50% of the catchment population. The remainder of the catchment population choose a variety of schools and the birth rate across the area has declined significantly in some areas. 

These trends have become established across the most recent three-year period. Given that the catchment population is set to be lower across the next five years we would expect allocations around 17 to 20, and these would be mostly from catchment. The birth rate is particularly low and this could lead to even lower numbers. 

This change will ensure the school can structure mixed age group classes of no more than 30 children.
 

3. Change to the tie-breaker within the over-subscription criteria

The Tie-breaker provides a way to distinguish priority between applicants who meet the same admission criterion.  We propose to add Children of UK service personnel and crown servants as the 3rd tie breaker to ensure that arrangements in the area support the Government's commitment to removing disadvantage for service children.

How to take part

If you'd like to comment on our proposals, please complete our survey by midnight on Wednesday, 31 January 2024. It should take about 10 minutes.

If you have any questions about the survey, please email the School Admissions Team.

For general enquiries about school admissions, please visit our webpage.

What happens next

Your feedback will be taken into consideration, and a final decision made by Delegated Officer Decision in early 2024.