Agenda and minutes

The Forum formally appointed:-

·       Mr. Dave Williams as Vice-Chair of the Carmarthenshire Admission Forum. 

     The Chair thanked Mr. Andrew Hurley for his dedication to the Forum and wished him well in his retirement.  Mrs. Alison Howells, Headteacher from St. Mary’s RC school in Llanelli will replace Mr. Hurley at future Forum meetings.

Apologies for absence were received from N. Neave, (Headteacher representative), Councillor Dai Thomas and Councillor Dot Jones.

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 21^st March, 2024 be signed as a correct record. 

6 – SCHOOL ADMISSIONS POLICY CONSULTATION 2025/26 FEEDBACK

The Forum noted that capacity calculations had been reviewed and updated figures were included in the 2025/26 policy.

9 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Forum noted that that all schools were in alphabetical order in the parent booklet, which can also be found on the Council’s website.

Noted

The Schools Transformation and Change Manager provided the Forum with a verbal update on the Modernising Education Programme (MEP).  The MEP Strategy had recently been approved by Cabinet and was now in the public domain.

The Forum noted that starting from September 1st, 2025, children will be able to begin full-time education following their 4^th birthday. This adjustment is being implemented, to align the authority with all other authorities in Wales.  A gap analysis will be undertaken in the provision of education in establishments. 

A review of primary and secondary school catchment areas will commence in early 2025.  Officers will also be reviewing the Home to School Transport Policy and the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan in conjunction with the catchment review.   An update will be provided at the next Forum meeting.

AGREED that the verbal update be received. 

The Forum considered a report detailing admission arrangements for Wales in force from 28th June 2024, in accordance with the Education (Co-ordination of School Admission Arrangements and Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2024 (the “2024 Regulations”).

The Forum noted that from Academic Year 2027/28, there will be a duty on the local authority to co-ordinate the administration of applications for all faith and voluntary aided schools within the County. The Forum were informed that there were six Faith/Voluntary aided schools within the County. 

The Forum were informed that new deadline dates for applications will be introduced.  The deadline date for primary school applications will be the 15^th January in the offer year. The deadline date for secondary school applications, will be the 31^st October in the offer year.

It was noted that St, Mary’s Catholic School in Llanelli, will be piloting the co-ordinated scheme from the 1st December, 2024 and other Faith/VA schools will take part in the coming months.

AGREED that the update be received. 

The Forum considered a report detailing the school admission functions assigned to them under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

The School Admissions Officer updated the Forum on recent changes and developments including work in progress developments.

AGREED that the report be received. 

The Forum considered the Welsh Government Annual Forum Report 2023/24, which included details of School Admissions and Appeals from September 2023 to August 2024.

It was noted that the report would be updated to include the new Vice-Chair details, who was appointed on the 21^st November, 2024 and outstanding data from the faith Voluntary Aided schools, before being submitted to Welsh Government by the 29^th November deadline.

AGREED that the report be received. 

The Forum thanked Mr. Simon Davies for all of his support during the past few years and wished him well in his new role as Head of Economic Development and Property.  In the interim, Mr. Allan Carter will be responsible for MEP and School Organisation and Admissions.

A request was made to simplify the language in the Parent Booklet, and the officers acknowledged this was being looked at. The Forum was assured that the next edition would indeed be simplified.

The Forum recognised the spike in mid-year transfer requests following the Covid outbreak, and the potential negative impact on children. Moving forward, the Forum thought it was crucial to improve communication and engage with parents in order to effectively address any issues that may arise.

The Admissions webpages will be simplified, to make it easier for parents and also be clear the implications of moving school on the pupil in the new year.

AGREED, subject to confirmation, that the next meeting be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, 20^th March, 2025.