Schools Organisation, Capital and Admissions Group: Notes of meeting on 14 May 2024

Key items for DEF to note

Item 3. Composite Prospectus

Schools are reminded to check that details on Schools Information website are accurate, and inform DCC of any changes via schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

Item 4. Admission Policies 2026

Schools to contact DCC if there are any potential amendments for discussion and advice to ensure that these can be included in the annual public consultation.
Governing Body meetings to be scheduled for early September in the autumn term for consideration and to confirm a policy for consultation and then another meeting must be scheduled for the admission authority to formally determine policy prior to end February 2025.

Item 5. Early Years

Tania Skinner has joined the Early Years and Childcare team to manage wraparound programme.
Approximately £1.5m capital funding has been allocated for expansion of early years and childcare places.
SOCA considered premises, financial and recruitment challenges impacting on schools’ ability to support extending early years and childcare provision.
Maintained schools are reminded that a change of age range may not be implemented at the same time as converting to academy status.

Item 6. School Organisation

Attendance

DCC

Katherine Crompton (Chair) – Capital Programme Manager, Shona Meek – Senior School Organisation Officer, Andrew Brent (part) – Senior Policy Officer, Fran Butler – Early Years & Childcare Sufficiency Lead, Heidi Watson-Jones – Safety Valve Project Officer

Devon Schools Leadership Services

Primary

Penny Hammett – FORT Federation, David Perkins (part) – Littletown Primary

Secondary

Graham Hill – Pilton Community College

DAG

Ian Rogers (part)

SW Norse

Nick Cook (part) – South West Norse,

Christina Mabin – Exeter Anglican Diocese (Admissions) (part), Richard Power – Exeter Anglican Diocese (Capital) (part), Kirsty Wright – Diocese of Plymouth

Apologies

Special Schools

Stuart Allman – Pathfield School

1. Minutes of previous meeting – 5 March 2024

Noted Flexi-schooling information had been re-circulated to primary schools. Andrew Brent to consider responses.
Other actions were completed or in hand
Minutes agreed as an accurate record.

2. Admissions – Report of the OSA

SOCA noted the summary of the Chief Schools’ Adjudicator’s report.
Some interesting issues raised with regards to sections on variations and capping year groups.
The report highlights some broader issues around admissions compliance.
Interim Chief Adjudicators will be appointed following the retirement of the previous postholder – which may introduce a different interpretation of the Admissions Code, e.g. with regard to admissions priority for children from nurseries and in respect of appeals.

3. Composite Prospectus

Composite prospectus to be published by LAs 12 September annually.
In Devon, the Step by Step Guide to Admissions and the Schools Information webpages constitute the Devon composite prospectus

Action:

DSLS to request all schools check that details on Schools Information website are accurate and inform DCC of any changes via schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

4. Admissions Policies 2026

Next annual cycle for admissions policies (for 2026/27) is approaching.
Schools to contact Andrew Brent if there are any amendments they are thinking about proposing to ensure that these can be included in the annual public consultation. These should be raised via schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Governing Body meetings will need to be scheduled in September to consider policy and then the admissions authority must meet to determine them before the end of February 2025.
Noted national consultation on special faith academies is currently open, DCC to respond making reference to potential impact of limited capacity in a local area.
Noted proposed priority for faith-based admissions criteria. Exeter Diocese to be responding to faith designation of special schools

5. Early Years Update

Consultation on Children’s Centre buildings is currently live on Have your Say DCC webpage.
Tania Skinner has joined EYC team to manage wraparound programme. Mailbox established for any queries or expressions of interest in establishing provision: wraparound@devon.gov.uk
ACTION: FB to arrange for Tania Skinner to present at next SOCA
Approximately £1.5m capital funding allocation for expansion of childcare places – particularly for 2-year olds and babies.
Noted increasing interest from schools to develop all year round provision and for childcare for babies.
SOCA were reminded that parents have a right to request that schools explore wraparound childcare, and that EYC providers have a right to request use of school buildings and grounds. It would be helpful for DCC to be made aware of any such requests.
Noted that where maintained schools are converting to academy, the age-range may not be included within the academy conversion process, and must be completed either before or after conversion, as a separate consultation process is required.
Noted updated data around take-up of places.
Noted that primary schools are currently struggling with recruitment of school staff, which raises concerns around creating additional capacity to develop wraparound care more widely.
Availability of premises to establish early years provision is also a concern.
It was felt that the current financial climate in schools is also having an adverse effect on schools coming forward to develop further EYC provision.
Considered the impact of increasing competition from independent nursery provision on school-based provision which currently offer fewer hours / term time only which is less flexible for working families.
Considered how term time only childcare provision could be developed in secondary schools – which could support recruitment of staff.
ACTION: FB to liaise with data team to model take up of children at particular age ranges from independent to school based EYC provision, particularly in rural areas, and on ‘travel to work routes’.
SOCA considered whether the funding rates are sufficient to cover running expenses for providers. Unclear whether this is a particular issue in Devon. Marie Stone, EY Accountant, can provide some information if settings are indicating they are in financial difficulty.

Action

FB to arrange for Tania Skinner to present at next SOCA
ACTION: FB to liaise with data team to model take up of children at particular age ranges from independent to school based EYC provision, particularly in rural areas and on ‘travel to work routes’.

6. School Organisation Update

Cabinet, with regret, have decided to support the Secretary of State decision to close Kingswear Primary School.
Tipton St John Governors have brought forward a proposal to relocate the school to Thorne Farm in Ottery St Mary following recent flooding incidents. This is included in the National Schools Rebuilding Programme.
Resource base places approved or awaiting ratification from Cabinet or Regions Group for: Newport Primary, West Croft, Torrington, Bluecoat Primary and Okehampton Primary.
Pathways Unit consultation (Pathfield Special School) had received a number of objections. School has paused the statutory process and will be reconsidering the way forward.
Cranbrook Special Free School – Transforming Futures MAT to proceed to pre-opening phase.
Significant change proposal refused in 2022 at Axminster Academy Primary to be reconsidered by Regions Group.
Draft Term Dates 2026/27 and 2027/28 – proposals circulated to the group. DSLS have considered the proposed dates, with some concern shared around the length of the summer term, ending quite late in July. Noted date constraints around Easter. Noted that schools may use occasional days to adjust end of term. Heads on SOCA were supportive of the proposed dates. Further feedback to be forwarded to Shona.meek@devon.gov.uk
Updates on academy conversions noted.
Report noted

7. SW Norse Update

Noted delays in finalising service term contracts due to queries during the procurement process. This impacted on modelling of subscription levels for DMP and VA Promise schemes, and contract documentation being issued late.
Devon Maintenance Partnership – 70% of eligible schools have signed up with the scheme. Reminders have been issued to non-responding schools to confirm their position – unless otherwise notified, schools will be signed up to the scheme to ensure essential compliance checks are scheduled.
Contractors have continued to service equipment during this interim period. Noted that Cannings have chosen not to re-bid for contracts, and new contractors have been appointed. SW Norse working closely with new contractors to ensure they are fully operational as soon as possible.
Noted servicing dashboard. ACTION: NC to liaise with Richard Power re. VA Promise School service compliance data.
Noted previous concerns around accelerating compliance for servicing automatic doors and lifts – understand changes within the contracted company will support improvement.
SW Norse looking to appoint a dedicated Service Term Contract manager to help improve oversight of the compliance position.