Update on changes to admissions
Admissions arrangements for selective schools in Rugby from 2010 are to be reconsidered by the Schools Adjudicator following objections from a group of parents and the Northamptonshire's Admissions Forum.
Earlier this year Warwickshire County Council (on behalf of Ashlawn School), and the governing bodies of Lawrence Sheriff and Rugby High School, carried out a consultation exercise on the admission arrangements to selective schools in Rugby. This was instigated after a challenge from Northamptonshire’s Admissions Forum to the Schools Adjudicator who requested the authority to conduct a review of admission arrangements.
Following the consultation, the governing bodies of the schools and the county council’s Cabinet agreed revised admission arrangements for pupils who will be admitted to the schools in September 2010 (taking the 11+ test in October 2009). These arrangements allocate 50 per cent of places to those living within Rugby and surrounding Warwickshire parishes which are in the priority areas of Bilton, Avon Valley and Ashlawn Schools – called the Eastern Area of Warwickshire - and 50 per cent to this area plus the 10 mile ‘Greenwich Circle’. Full details are published on the council’s website and those of the respective schools.
Based on admissions figures from 2008 and 2009, the impact of the changes is likely to reduce the number of pupils attending Rugby Grammar schools from outside East Warwickshire.
The county council, and the schools, have now been advised of further objections to the 2010 admission arrangements submitted to the Schools Adjudicator from a group of parents and also Northamptonshire’s Admissions Forum. Both objections propose that selective places should only be offered to children living in the Eastern Area of Warwickshire.
The Adjudicator has the power to enforce different admission arrangements for 2010 admissions or make recommendations for the future. It is anticipated that the Adjudicator will make a decision during the autumn term after considering the county council and schools’ response to the issues raised.