Latest Information on School Catchment Changes

Latest Information on School Catchment Changes

We recently contacted BCBC about the proposed change in school catchment for Maes-Yr-Haul.  Following many of the residents meetings we found that there were many residents still unclear about the situation.  Please read on if you have children due to attend Maes-Yr-Haul in 2013 onwards.

When does the change come into place?

The proposed catchment changes will go ahead for the September intake of 2013 at the school. 

I live on Broadlands - what postcodes are affected by the change?

• CF31 4DX
• CF31 4DZ
• CF31 5AA
• CF31 5AB
• CF31 5AD
• CF31 5AE
• CF31 5AF
• CF31 5AG
• CF31 5AR
• CF31 5BF
• CF31 5EU
• CF31 5EW
• CF31 5EZ
• CF31 5FJ
• CF31 5FN
• CF31 5FP
• CF31 5FQ
• CF31 5FR
• CF32 0HL

What is the status on Siblings having priority after the Catchment Area Changes?

The following is an extract from the Council’s Starting School booklet and appears in both the nursery and primary sections as the transitional arrangements are equally applicable to both ‘phases’. The Starting School publication will be issued to parents, seeking a nursery/reception place, later this term.

Parents/carers should note that the Council’s change to the catchment areas of Maes yr Haul Primary and Trelales Primary Schools will be implemented for the first time for admissions to both schools in September 2013. With effect from this date the area illustrated on the attached plan will form part of the catchment area of Trelales Primary School. As part of the proposed change the Council agreed a transitional arrangement for those families with older siblings already attending Maes yr Haul Primary School. For families living in the affected area and with older children at the school the transitional arrangement will afford them equal status to those parents living within the revised catchment area. In practical terms should the school be oversubscribed parents living in the affected area would not be disadvantaged and their application for a place at Maes yr Haul Primary School will be treated as if they are resident within the catchment area. It was agreed that this transitional arrangement would be initially for a period of five years and would be reviewed annually thereafter.

What is the situation for Nursery intake and I have a Sibling in the school?

 The above statements show that both nursery and primary sections of the school.

What is the status of the safe walking route to school (to Laleston)?

The Council’s Property Team is still negotiating with the relevant landowner to reach agreement to obtain sufficient land to create the safe walking route. The initial plan has changed and in order to minimise the amount of land take it is now proposed that a section of Gypsy Lane be closed to traffic to enable the lane itself to be used as the footpath. Lighting will be provided the length of the footpath. There will be a formal consultation period as is usual with any proposal on ‘highway’ changes. 

Minutes of the BCBC Meeting on School Catchment

Minutes from the cabinet meeting about our local school catchment change is found below. The original documentation can be found on their public website... 

A few key points have been highlighted, we are yet to see formal commitments around siblings being given equal priority to attend the same school.  Please note BCBC are looking to set a 5 year time limit on this from 2013. This means if you have a child in Maes-Yr-Haul at 2018 and have a younger child due to enter the school that year or afterwards, they will not be entitled to go to the same school.

SCHOOL CATCHMENT AREAS - BROADLANDS AND LALESTON

            The Corporate Director - Children submitted a report to update Cabinet and seek approval for consultation on changing the catchment areas of Maes yr Haul and Trelales Primary Schools with effect from September 2013.

            The report outlined background information, and advised of consultation that had previously taken place with school governing bodies, parents and communities of the above schools in 2009 and early 2011, following which three main options were considered as detailed in Paragraph 3.2 of the report.

            The report confirmed that at a meeting of Cabinet on 11 January 2011, they resolved not to consider further Option A, to further consider Option C and to carry out a consultation on the option prior to being considered further by Cabinet.

            Paragraphs 3.6 - 3.11 of the report then detailed the key issues that arose from both consultation meetings including individual responses.

            The Group Manager - Support for Children then referred Members to the main points that arose from these consultations, where there appeared to be a general consensus on certain points, namely that:

·         both schools should be in a position to meet the demand for places from within the re-configured catchment areas;

·         the new developments to the west of the estate should be allocated to Trelales Primary School;

·         a safe walking route to Trelales from Broadlands, via Gypsy Lane, should be created to allow children to travel safely to school.

            The Group Manager - Support for Children then explained that Option D had been developed in response to views expressed in previous consultations, which involved allocating further areas from Maes yr Haul to the Trelales catchment area.

            The advantages and disadvantages of the above proposals were outlined in Paragraph 5.2 of the report.

            The Group Manager - Support for Children confirmed that by allocating a longer section of the Broadlands Estate to the Trelales Primary catchment area, the Council would aim to ensure that demand for places from the catchment areas is met at both schools whilst also allowing a degree of parental preference over the choice of school.

            He added that no child would be required to move schools, whilst also the Council would aim to ensure that families who may be affected by a change to the catchment areas would be able to have all their children educated at the same school.

            Paragraph 5.5 of the report then outlined the main points that arose from further consultation in accordance with the statutory Schools Admission Code 2009.

            Paragraph 5.6 of the report then included some final points made in response to certain issues and concerns raised to be taken into consideration as they were pertinent to any final decision.

            The Group Manager - Support for Children explained that there would be some financial implications arising from the proposals to reconfigure the catchment areas of Maes yr Haul Primary and Trelales Primary schools and these were detailed in Paragraph 8.1 of the report.

            The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People explained that the proposals of the report had resulted from listening to the concerns of those involved in the consultation process and then reaching a positive conclusion on the most favourable outcome.

            RESOLVED:               That Cabinet:

                         (1)       Agreed that the proposal to allocate the areas of the Broadlands estate as set out in 5.1 and Appendix B of the report to the catchment of Trelales Primary School to become effective for admissions from September 2013 goes forward for consultation under the Schools Admissions Code 2009;

                        

                         (2)       Approved, in principle, arrangements for safe travel to Trelales Primary School from Broadlands by the construction of a footpath alongside Gypsy Lane, subject to affordability, agreements with landowners and gaining planning permission;

                                     (3)       Consult on any necessary changes to the Admissions Policy to allow, for a limited time period of 5 years initially, siblings in the two catchment areas concerned to have parity with siblings from within catchment in their entitlement to a school place of their choice.