Issue - meetings

A report that provides a briefing and update on the delivery of school places and on school place preference rates within the Local Authority.

The report for Delivery of Additional School Places and Admissions was delivered to the scrutiny board by Andy Collinge ((Head of School Support Services). The report would provide a briefing and update to the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Board on the delivery of school places and school place preference rates within the Local Authority (LA.)

To provide an update on the delivery of additional school places and the work of the Council’s Education Support Services including Allocation of school places by ward; The percentage of residents who are offered a school place of choice (1st or top 3 preferences); Overview of the current demand for school places.

It was noted that Appendix 1 attached to the report, showed the detail for 1st and top 3 preferences in Oldham for secondary places by ward. In 2023, 80.4% of residents were offered their first choice of secondary school; this decreased to 75.7% in 2024. In 2023, 91.2% of pupils gained a place at one of their top 3 preferences of secondary school; in 2024 this had increased to 94.1%. In the majority of wards over 90% of residents are offered a place at one of their top 3 preferences. It was noted that national rates for secondary for first preferences are 82.9% and top 3 preferences are 94.6%.

It was noted that Appendix 2 showed first preferences rates for primary places in Oldham by ward. In 2023 92.9% of pupils gained a place at their first preference school; there had been an increase this year to 94.1%. In 2023, 96.6% of pupils gained a place at one of their 3 top preferences for primary schools; this had increased to 98.1 % in 2024. National rates for primary places are first preferences 93.2% and top 3 preferences 98.6 %.

In response to questions concerning the Academy trust-maintained schools, Matt Bulmer the Director of Education, Skills, and Early Years informed the Scrutiny Board are not allowed to be extended in size by local authority. The Local Authority responsibility is to ensure that all children in Oldham receive a school place in Oldham.

There was a discussion concerning Waterhead Academy, with the Director of Education, Skills and Early Years informing the Scrutiny Board that Waterhead Academy had an agreement with other local schools that it would not receive late admissions into the school, in order to try and improve its Ofsted standing.

Members were concerned about the reputation of Waterhead Academy, with there being a desire to see the reputation of the school improved. The Director of Education, Skills and Early Years did reflect that schools like businesses have to manage their own reputation, with a suggestion of more public engagements with parents and the community potentially helping to improve the reputation.

RESOLVED: that-

1)    The Scrutiny Board noted the report for Delivery of Additional School Places and Admissions.