Equality impact assessment school admissions

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1. What is the name of the function, policy or service that is being assessed?

School Building and Places – School Admissions

2. What are the aims of the function, policy or service? Whose needs it is designed to meet? What are the current priorities?

The service provides school places for reception intake to all Wiltshire primary schools, year seven admissions for Wiltshire residents and the admission of pupils to community and voluntary controlled schools throughout the year.

The School Admissions Team are required to meet statutory deadlines and regulations as determined by the Department of Children Schools and Families and the arrangements determined by elected members of the Council.

3. In what ways might this function, policy or service affect some groups of people differently? Might some groups find it harder to access the service? Do some groups have particular needs that are not well met by the current policy or service? Please ensure that you comment against each of the dimensions listed below and where no issues are identified that you state this clearly against the relevant dimension.

Age

Informing parents of the requirement to apply for children entering the prospective reception group can be problematic as we do not hold a comprehensive list of children affected and find it difficult to access information which may be helpful from colleagues within the Council or the Health Authority.

Disability

All schools are subject to legislation that ensures disability access. Specific government funds to improve access and inclusion and the priorities for this work are determined in association with the Physical and Sensory Impairment Service.

Gender

All but four schools within the County are coeducational. For all of the other schools, gender of the pupil is not a factor.

Race

National legislation determines the admission policies that schools have to operate and they cannot discriminate on race. However, in some instances parents may be unsure as to how to secure a school place for their child. Translated applications are available for those who do not have English as their first language and close working with the Ethnic Minorities Achievement Service also assists in supporting parents.

Religion/belief

Some schools do admit on faith grounds but cannot prohibit entry on this basis. When admitting on faith grounds, schools must act in accordance with national legislation.

Sexual orientation

National legislation determines the admission policies that schools have to operate and they cannot discriminate on sexual orientation.

4. What evidence do you have for your judgement? Is there evidence of public concern (e.g. complaints)? Have staff raised concerns? Is there local or national research to suggest that there could be a problem?

There is national concern that school places are difficult to secure and that places at popular schools are unobtainable for some families. There is also local concern amongst parents that school places are limited and that children may not secure a place at their local school.

Some schools are more popular than others and inevitably parents will not secure a place at their preferred school, however we ensure that our admissions polices meet all of the required criteria and are fair and accessible. The School Admissions Team also has a responsibility to ensure that all children secure a school place within a reasonable distance or the Passenger Transport Team will provide school transport.

5. How and with whom have you consulted with as part of your assessment? What were the results? Have you published the results of that consultation? If so, where?

Our draft policies are subjected to scrutiny by the Department of Children Schools and Families, colleagues at other Local Authorities, school governors, headteachers and diocesan representatives. The policy is then determined by the elected members of Wiltshire Council and is available to all interested bodies, particularly through the school admission guides ‘Finding a School Place’.

6. If you have found that the function, policy or service might have an adverse impact on a particular group of people, can you justify this?

The function does not have an adverse effect on some groups.

7. If the impact cannot be justified, what do you intend to do about this? Are there changes that you could introduce which would make the function, policy or service work better for this group of people? Is further research or consultation required?

Consultation is undertaken annually in line with statutory requirements.

8. How will you monitor the take-up or impact of the function, policy or service in future?

We monitor the number of late applications received and also the number of appeals received against the decision not to offer places at a preferred school. The Choice Advice Service will also monitor late application numbers.

The online admissions system requests that parents complete a questionnaire regarding the clarity of the system.

9. What actions do you plan to take as a result of this EIA? Please include target dates for completion of actions and resource implications where possible

We are considering undertaking a survey off applicants, in particular focusing upon whether particular groups are disadvantaged by our current admission practices.

10. If no actions have been identified in section 9 above, please state when a further review of this assessment is planned

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11. Name of person completing form

School Admissions Team

Date assessment completed

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12. Name of senior manager approving assessment

Assistant Director Schools

Date assessment approved by senior manager

07 January 2008

Last updated: 13 May 2009