We established a School Admissions Forum in March 2003, in accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (SSFA 1998).

What is a School Admissions Forum?

Admission Forums have a key role in ensuring a fair admissions system that promotes social equity and must, under Section 84 of the SSFA 1998, act in accordance with this Code. Part of their role is to advise local authorities and admission authorities on matters relating to school admissions – any advice that they give must then be made available to any person with an interest (Regulation 16 of the Local Authority Reports Regulations). Admissions Forums must:

a) consider how well existing and proposed admissions arrangements serve the interests of children and parents within the area of the local authority;

b) promote agreement on admission issues;

c) review the comprehensiveness, effectiveness within the local context, and accessibility of advice and guidance for parents by the local authority, both through the published composite prospectus (ie publication of Information for Parents) and the delivery of Choice Advice within the area of the Forum;

d) consider the effectiveness of the authority’s proposed co-ordinated admission arrangements, and advise on whether the authority’s proposed co-ordinated admission arrangements differ substantially from the previous year;

e) consider the means by which admissions processes might be improved and how actual admissions relate to the admission numbers published;

f) monitor the admission of children who arrive in the authority’s area outside a normal admission round with a view to promoting arrangements for the fair distribution of such children among local schools, taking account of any preference expressed in accordance with arrangements made under Section 86(1) of the SSFA 1998 and in accordance with the School Admissions Code;

g) promote the arrangements for children with special educational needs, children in care and children who have been excluded from school;

h) monitor the effectiveness of local authority Fair Access Protocols; and

i) consider any other admissions issues that arise.

Ensuring fair access

In discharging these responsibilities, an Admissions Forum should:

a) refer an objection to the Schools Adjudicator where either it identifies admissions policy, practice or oversubscription criteria of a school that may be unfair, unlawful or that contravene the mandatory provisions of this Code, or where its advice has been disregarded by admission authorities; and

b) review the impact of local admissions policies on achieving fair access.

Reports on effectiveness of local admission arrangements

Admissions Forums have an important power, under Section 85A (1A) of the SSFA 1998, to produce an annual report about all maintained schools and where they choose to do so, the report must include Academies. Admissions Forums are not expected to produce complex reports that duplicate the local authority report to the Schools Adjudicator on admission arrangements in their area. They should have the flexibility to report as they see fit on matters that are of local interest, and provide input to the local authority report. The power for Admissions Forums to report to the Schools Adjudicator replaces the power to report to the Schools Commissioner. This is part of the School Adjudicator's widened role to enforce fair access and report annually to the Secretary of State on how it is being achieved locally. The Schools Adjudicator will also use the local authority reports to inform this annual report.

The Forum is required to publish its advice and recommendations to all admission authorities, schools and Academies within their relevant area on the school admissions section of their website.

The documents below are for meetings held in 2011 and contain information about:

• Membership of the Forum
• The Constitution
• Notice of Meetings and Agenda
• Minutes (containing advice and recommendations of the Forum)
• Press Releases

Past documents are also available for meetings held in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Further information about the School Admissions Forum can be found in the School Admissions Code: www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/schooladmissions or please contact the Surrey Schools and Childcare Service on Tel: 0300 200 1004.