Consultations in East Sussex

For views on the proposed reduction in the admission number from 20 to 15.

375 responses were received. 365 opposed the reduction in the published admissions number.

The Council listened carefully to concerns raised during the consultation period and has reconsidered the decision previously taken to stop the project to replace some of the classrooms.  The Council has concluded that as the project was originally agreed under an earlier capital programme that had wider ambitions and supported projects beyond the Council’s statutory duties, the project should be completed.

The Lead Member agreed that 20 should be the Published Admission Number for Ninfield CE Primary School.

Schools, parents/carers and other interested parties to give their views on the proposed school holiday and term dates for 2019/2020.  Thank you to all those who responded.

During the period of the consultation 505 responses were received.  368 (73%) were in favour of the proposals whilst 137 (27%) disagreed.

The Local Authority is currently responsible for setting school term and holiday dates for all Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools.  In the case of Foundation, Voluntary Aided Schools and Academies, Governing Bodies are responsible for setting their own term dates.  Where possible we have taken into account feedback received during the consultation period including aligning dates with neighbouring authorities.  Following consultation the school holiday and term dates for 2019/2020 have been determined and are availabe on the East Sussex County Council website here

For views on the proposed admission arrangements to Community and Controlled Schools for the 2019/20 school year. The main changes were

• To make a change to the community area for Hankham and Stone Cross primary schools so that the current discrete areas are merged to form one shared community area;
• To include the community area formerly served by Rodmell CE Primary School in the community area for Iford & Kingston CE Primary School following the agreed closure of Rodmell CE Primary School;
• To include the villages of Ditchling and Streat in Chailey Secondary School’s community area to create a shared area with Priory School.

Views were also sought the co-ordinated admission schemes and on the Proposed Admission Numbers at all schools but in particular to increases at Ditchling St Margaret’s CE Primary School, Polegate School and  Robertsbridge Community College and decreases at Forest Row CE Primary and Uplands Community College.

41 people completed the online survey. A further 30 responded to the issue of raising the admission number at Robertsbridge Community College which was an addendum to the original survey.

92.7% of respondents were in favour of the change to the Hankham and Stone Cross community areas (primary)

85.4% of respondents were in favour of the change to the Rodmell and Iford and Kingston Community areas (primary)

87.8% of respondents were in favour of the change to the Community area for Chailey School (secondary)

The changes to the admission numbers were agreed. A full breakdown of responses can be found in the Lead Member report. (item 37)

The changes that were agreed will come into force for September 2019 onwards.