Admissions Forum

Section 85A of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 requires all local authorities to establish an Admissions Forum.

The forum has a duty to ensure that the school admission arrangements are fair and comply with admissions law and the School Admissions Code. The forum will also consider how well the admission arrangements serve the interests of children and parents within the local community.

The forum will also monitor the admission of children who arrive in the area outside a normal admission round with a view to promoting arrangements for the fair distribution of these children among local schools. The forum will also promote the arrangements for children with special educational needs, children in care, children who have been missing from education and children who have been excluded from school.

The forum has the power to produce an annual report on the effectiveness of the admission arrangements, including advice and recommendations. The Schools Commissioner will draw upon the information contained in forum annual reports, when compiling his two-yearly national review of fair access.

Meeting dates 2007-2008

• 29 November 2007
• 21 February 2008
• 24 June 2008

Meeting dates 2008-2009

• 27 November 2008
• 26 February 2009