Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of People.

The Cabinet Member with the Children and Young People Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of Services (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the Local Authority’s Admissions Policy (also previously circulated) for the 2025/26 academic year for maintained schools in the Borough.

The submitted report stated that, in line with the School Admissions Code 2021, an Admission Authority was required to annually determine the admission arrangements used to allocate places for schools for which it was the admission authority by 28 February in the determination year; outlined the process for allocating places; the legal implications; and the consultation process.

Particular reference was made at the meeting to whether consideration had been given to including a further admission criteria, for oversubscribed schools, relating to whether a child had received free school meals in the previous six years.  The Cabinet Member with the Children and Young People Portfolio responded thereon.

RESOLVED - That the admission arrangements for the two maintained primary schools in Darlington for entry in 2025/26 and for the administration of in-year applications thereafter, as detailed in the submitted report, be approved.

REASON - All admission authorities are under a statutory duty to determine admission arrangements for schools for which it is the admission authority every academic year.