Annex B
B1: ADMISSIONS APPEALS
PROJECT REPORT
TO THE
DFES: APRIL—NOVEMBER
2005
We have continued to provide seminars for LEAs
and Diocesan Boards—see list below The demand for these
remains strong and there are several more in the pipeline plus
a number of enquiries. We have not listed other numerous small
appeals seminars which have not been subsidised from the DfES
grant, eg for individual VA or foundation schools. We make it
clear that LEAs and Boards should be able to recruit at least
30 participants in order to qualify for DfES subsidy. However,
it does happen that the Boards especially have difficulty in achieving
this number, though we do recommend that they invite other dioceses
and the LEA.
B2. The evaluations are consistently good.
As the interpretation of the law develops, we
find that our earlier materials are getting out of date. It is
important to match the exercises and demonstration to the experience
and background of the participants. Many LEAs are now taking seriously
the need to offer regular training to their panel members, and
we get a number of repeat requests. This means that we constantly
need new modules. We have spent a good deal of time this year
on developing a new set of materials. I attach as Annex 2 a list
of most of those we currently use.
B3. We are represented at the EASI (Education
Appeal Support Initiative) group meetings and were invited to
speak at the Council on Tribunals seminar to discuss the formation
of a London EASI group.
B4. NEW DEVELOPMENTS
With the Council on Tribunals, we are hoping
to offer a joint seminar for panel chairs to be held at their
offices in Chancery Lane.
B5. As a result of our work with Diocesan
Boards we would like to run a seminar for those officers of Diocesan
Boards who advise their schools on admission arrangements. They
have told us that they would welcome this particularly in order
to discuss the sensitive question of faith criteria in an independent
setting.
B6. We have had a discussion with DfES officers
working with the Academies about how we might support their governors
and panel members in admissions processes and appeals.
B7. We may need to make substantial revisions
to our appeals materials when the new Codes of Practice are published.
We intend to develop a module on infant class size appeals as
these are a source of considerable concern to panel members.
B8. ISCG looks forward to continuing this
work with DfES support.
B9. RECENT SEMINARS
Calderdale LEA 12 June 2005
Poole LEA 28 June 2005
High Wycombe ISCG 21 September 2005
Liverpool LEA 17 October 2005
Peterborough CofE Diocese 11 November 2005
Durham LEA 22 November 2005
Sunderland LEA 23 November 2005
South Gloucestershire LEA 29 November 2005
Hertfordshire LEA December 8 2005
Nottingham Diocese 24 January 2006
B10. (At a meeting with representative of
the DfES on 24 November 2005 we were informed that they could
no longer subsidise our appeals seminars. We are concerned that
this will reduce the quality of the appeals system just when admissions
are so crucial to the new ideas in the White Paper)
| 
