Independent review of school admissions

Parents across Buckinghamshire have been asked to take part in a fully independent review of secondary school admissions.

The appointment of an independent reviewer represents a completely new approach by the county, with the aim of encouraging as many parents/carers as possible to contribute to the secondary school admission arrangements, which will become effective from September 2010.

The deadline for receipt of comments was Friday 13 November 2009. All comments received will be analysed and the results of the review will be published here in due course.

The independent reviewer Alan Parker is a former Director of Education and has a strong background in undertaking similar consultancy work for other councils. His brief is to analyse the impact of current secondary school admission arrangements, identify options for change and make recommendations. Alan said: "I am interested in hearing views from as many parents as I can and, where I think it will help me to understand the issues in particular areas, I will meet with parents to hear their concerns firsthand."

December 2009 Progress Update: The Draft Report of the Independent Reviewer

At their meeting of 8 December the Buckinghamshire Admissions Forum will consider and comment on the draft report of the Independent Reviewer, Alan Parker. Following this meeting Alan Parker will finalise his report and present it to Marion Clayton, Cabinet Member for Children Schools and Families.

Please see below for a link to the Admissions Forum documents including the draft report.

January 2010 Progress Update: The Next Steps

The Independent review has now been considered by Cabinet who has accepted the recommendations. The report advised ‘no change’ for 2011 admission arrangements and consequently the Admissions Consultation for 2011 is formulated on that basis

Useful documents and links:

31 December 2009

The cabinet member report for the 2011 admissions consultation was published. Here is a link to the report: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1795

14 December 2009

Alan Parker’s report was considered by the Cabinet on 14 December 2009 here is a link to the meeting documents.
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=124&MId=3370&Ver=4

8 December 2009

Alan Parker’s draft report was considered by the Admissions Forum on 8 December 2009 here is a link to the meeting documents (which include the report)
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000161/M00003704/$$ADocPackPublic.pdf