Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill

Written evidence submitted by Brighton & Hove City Council (CWSB191)

We would like to seek amendment to the School Admissions Code 2021, as part of the Children and Wellbeing Bill.

Background to the Proposed Amendment

We seek to amend the School Admissions Code 2021 to ensure that decision-making processes consider a broader range of factors. We have been seeking to manage the issue of falling pupil numbers across the city by proposing the reduction in Published Admission Numbers at some community primary schools. Where objections have been lodged with the Schools Adjudicator these have been upheld on the basis that the proposed reduction would result in the frustration of parental preference. We have therefore had to continue to operate with a significant number of unfilled primary school places which has caused considerable financial pressures on school budgets. We believe that the introduction of additional principles into the considerations of the Schools Adjudicator will enhance the decision-making framework to better reflect the complexities of school admissions. This approach allows for targeted adjustments that improve the system's responsiveness to local needs while maintaining its core values.

Amendment to the School Admissions Code 2021

As part of the Children and Wellbeing Bill, we seek to amend the School Admissions Code 2021. The current wording of the Code is as follows:

"…All admission authorities must consult in accordance with paragraph 1.45 below where they propose a decrease to the PAN. Community and voluntary controlled schools have the right to object to the Schools Adjudicator if the PAN set for them is lower than they would wish. There is a strong presumption in favour of an increase to the PAN to which the Schools Adjudicator must have regard when considering any such objection."

(Full paragraph on the school admission code 2021, found on page 9)

Proposed New Wording

We suggest revising the School Admissions Code 2021 to state the following:

"…All admission authorities must consult…. where they propose a decrease to the PAN. Community and voluntary controlled schools have the right to object to the Schools Adjudicator if the PAN set for them is lower than they would wish. When considering such an objection, the Schools Adjudicator must have regard to a range of factors, including parental preferences, the number of places available across the Local Authority as a whole and, specifically, in the area in which the school is located, and the potential impact on other schools if the PAN is not reduced."

February 2025