Welcome to the Fair Access Protocol

1. Welcome to the Fair Access Protocol County Meeting of Primary Headteachers 20 June 2014

2. What is the Fair Access Protocol (FAP)? • FAP is an admissions process that applies to in-year admissions, and is used to ensure that unplaced children, particularly the most vulnerable, are offered a school place as quickly as possible. • The FAP does not replace the normal admissions process. Each school should apply its published admissions arrangements wherever possible. • Allocations made through the FAP must be as fair and equitable as possible, regardless of whether a school has places. • Records of allocations are kept and shared with schools in each area so that the process is open and transparent.

3. How does the FAP differ from other admissions procedures? • Some essential difference are: • No duty to comply with parental preference (though it would be considered) • No school is considered‘full’if at PAN (or even above) • FAP children take priority over any waiting list

4. Who participates in the FAP? • All admissions authorities must participate. In East Sussex, that means: • The Authority (re Community and Voluntary Controlled schools) • Church-Aided Schools • Academies • Free Schools • University Technology Colleges

5. Who decides what goes into the FAP? • The mandatory School Admissions Code states that as a minimum, it must include the following: • children from the criminal justice system or PRUs who need to be reintegrated into mainstream education; • Children who have been out of education for two months or more; • Children of Gypsies, Roma, Travellers, refugees and asylum seekers; • Children who are homeless; • Children with unsupportive family backgrounds for whom a place has not been sought, • Children who are carers; and • Children with special educational needs, disabilities or medical conditions (but without a statement)

6. In addition to these groups, the East Sussex FAP includes: • Children with challenging behaviour (including permanently excluded children) • Children who have been out of any education provision for two months or more • Children who have moved into the County with an established history of fixed term exclusions (five or more in the past 12 months) • Looked After Children (LACs) or previously looked after children • Children who have moved into the area for whom there is no school place because all schools within a reasonable distance are full • Children of UK services personnel and other Crown Servants

7. In order for a FAP to become policy, it must be agreed with the majority of schools in the area. Records of FAP allocations are kept so that there is a central overview of where allocations have been made The policy is reviewed regularly and all schools are consulted on any changes that are required or requested.

8. So what happens when Admissions receives a FAP case? • We consider the preference, but this is not an overriding factor • We look at the primary schools in the area and see where previous allocations have been made • We look for a school that is within a reasonable distance. We do not: • Operate an inflexible policy of allocating to schools ‘in turn’ • Operate a ‘one-out-one-in’ policy We try not to: 1. Allocate more than one child with challenging behaviour to the same year group in the same school

9. 4. We contact the proposed school and ask them if there is any exceptional reason the child should not be allocated a place (deadline of 72 hours). All information we can supply will be given (e.g. Pupil Passport, Risk Assessment as appropriate) 5. Allocation is made. 6. School is always contacted about the allocation first, then parent. Issues that have been raised are: • Extreme pressure on school places (hot spots) • Exclusions and challenging children already on roll • Physical capacity • Health and safety (with H&S risk assessment)

10. School is given 2 weeks to arrange admission. This can be longer if it is an extremely complex case. • ESBAS will provide reintegration support for children who were permanently excluded and liaise with the school re pre-admissions meeting