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ITEM EX11 - ANNEX 1EXECUTIVE – 5 FEBRUARY 2003SCHOOL ADMISSION FORUMAdmission
Forums - Functions and Proceedings The Role of the Admission Forum The role of a forum as set down in the Regulations is to: "(a) consider how well existing and proposed admission arrangements serve the interests of children and parents within the area of the authority; "(b) promote agreement on admission issues; "(c) consider the comprehensiveness and accessibility of the admission literature and information for parents, produced by each admission authority within the area of the forum; "(d) consider the effectiveness of the authority's proposed co-ordinated admission arrangements; "(e) consider the means by which admissions processes might be improved and how actual admissions relate to the admission numbers published; "(f) monitor the admission of children who arrive in the authority's area outside a normal admission round with a view to promoting arrangements for the fair distribution of such children among local schools, taking account of any preference expressed in accordance with arrangements made under section 86(1) of the Act; "(g) promote the arrangements for children with special educational needs, looked after children and children who have been excluded from school; "(h) insofar as not included within sub-paragraphs (a) to (g), consider any admissions issues arising." A forum is required to promulgate its advice and recommendations to all admission authorities and maintained schools within the area of the appointing authority, and to make available such advice and recommendations to any other persons with an interest Proceedings The forum must meet initially within two months of the Regulations coming into force (ie on or before 20 March 2003). It must meet at least three times in its first year and at least twice a year thereafter. The forum is required to elect a chairman and vice-chairman, who may be members of the forum or not. Election is to be on an annual basis, but the retiring chairman and vice-chairman are eligible for re-election. Any member of the forum may nominate a similarly qualified person to attend one or more meetings in his/her absence (subject in most cases to the consent of the body which made the original nomination.) The forum must appoint a person who is not a member of the forum to act as its secretary. Otherwise it is for the core members to regulate their own procedure. Tenure of Members Core members of the forum are appointed for a period not exceeding 4 years, after which they are eligible for reappointment. Other members of the forum are appointed on the terms determined by the core members, not exceeding 4 years. Membership terminates automatically if a person ceases to occupy the position which first qualified him or her to be a member; or if the body who nominated the member notifies the appointing authority of their opinion that he/she should no longer be a member of the forum; or if the appointing authority, following a recommendation from the core members, are of the opinion that the member should no longer be a member of the forum Sub-Committees The
LEA may establish one or more sub-committees to help the forum in the
performance of its functions. The forum will be responsible for running
any established sub-committee.
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