Chris White, newly appointed Leader of the Opposition on Hertfordshire Council, has used the first full council meeting since the election to challenge the Tories to take action on primary school places in St Albans.

He asked the new portfolio holder to move away from ‘consistency’ of school place planning on the grounds that the demography in Hertfordshire is itself not consistent. ‘You can’t use the same formulas for predicting school places in Buntingford as you can in St Albans.’

He also demanded far more dialogue with local members and a renewed commitment to a new primary school.

Notes of meeting with county council officials. The emboldened questions have been raised by parents. The ordinary font answers underneath are from officials. I checked the text withthem before publishing and forwarding.

1. Sibling rule: General agreement that this rule should not apply to those who move out of the priority area.
Find out what the consequences of the sibling rule are: would we be having this meeting if this rule had been amended?
Officials agree with this for secondary but not for primary (could be very unpopular for primary schools). But they are modelling both. So this could go to consultation. Not seen as having a huge impact anyway.
2. Could we have a swaps system for people with unsatisfactory choices?
This was raised by the Head of Sandringham. It would, however, be a direct breach of the admissions code. Officials see parents’ logic but it can’t be done.
3. Are the single sex school allocations fair given that it’s local school for so many. Perhaps we should recognise that single sex schools are more a regional resource?
3.81% of places in Herts are now being done through random allocation so that is being used for single sex schools. The system does recognise the fact that they are both local and regional schools.
Is work being done to balance up the places for boys and girls? No. CW pointed out that there were two girls’ schools and only one boys’ in St Albans.
4. ‘Sex discrimination’:The Fleetville school problem needs to be examined.
This is because of the relative popularity of Verulam and STAGS: this is now addressed by the appointment of a new Head for Verulam.
5. Priority on continuing interest list: surely those with no choice should have priority.
This would be a breach of the schools admissions code.
6. What can we do for our children now?
– increasing allocations in existing schools: CW to write to John Harris and to the Heads
Response to CW’s letter is with planning colleagues.
7. Jubilee Centre as a temporary solution to primary school place shortage
Another site is actively being looked at.
8. Continuing interest list: Is there a cut off point? Why not ask those who have got a place whether they will take the place?
With community schools, parents are given two weeks to accept an offer and to be in first run of continuing interest (allowed to change preferences at this stage). Four weeks: reallocation in accordance with admissions rules. This carries on to July-August. Then there is a roll-over in which it turns into an in-year waiting list for year 7. A letter will be sent out every term until end of Year 10.
Where do people coming in from outside fit into this system? This seems to knock people down the list?
Yes: this does happen. You have to use the admissions rules and this is a consequence.
Should people be allowed to change the continuing interest list in the light of their experience?
The ability to change your preference is considered a late application and cannot be disadvantaged for so doing under the law.
9. Colney Heath: Journey to Onslow St Audrey – dangerous route but technically okay per county rules. This needs to be examined.
This does come up every year: the route involves underpasses but is regarded as safe. It is therefore a route for admissions purposes.
10. Administration of the system:
– routes should be publicly available and challengeable
Yes: but not prior to allocation day. HCC would have liked to have provided them, but can’t because of IT problems in displaying the relevant data externally. CW to follow this up with John Harris. HCC consulting on moving to straightline distances which would allow greater transparency. Vast majority of authorities have moved to straight line distances. 2011 would be the earliest point of change.
– will the safety of the routes be taken into account?
– not for admissions but it is for transport: in fact the routes are calculated on the basis that you walk down the middle of the road which is why there is strong case for change to straight line distances.
– why is there a lack of transparency?
See above.