This consultation relates to two changes to the Determined Admission Arrangements for all community schools in Warrington.

The proposals

Warrington Borough Council is proposing to:

  1. Reduce the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Reception at The Cobbs Infant and Nursery School from 90 to 60, to take effect from September 2025.
  2. Clarify the admission arrangements for admission to junior schools.

As set out in the School Admissions Code 2021 we are entering into a 6-week statutory consultation period.

1. Change to the Published Admission Number (PAN) for The Cobbs Infant and Nursery School

Due to changes in demand for places in the local area over the last few years, the size of The Cobbs’ Reception intake has reduced. For the 2023/24 school year the school is able to operate two classes only as the intake was less than 60 children. However, if this number was over 60 then the school would be required to operate with three classes, with the need to employ an additional teacher and teaching assistants. Whilst the PAN is 90, this presents a financial risk.

The proposed PAN change will help to secure financial stability and enable it to focus on its learning for its young pupils. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 shows that the school continues to be a good school. The school’s staff work hard to continue to offer strong outcomes for all its children. The proposed reduction will benefit future outcomes for its pupils, whilst still enabling the school to meet the demand for places.

School place planning requirements for the area will still be met once this proposed change has been made.

There will be no other changes to the school’s admission arrangements. The proposed change will not affect the current pupils.

Although the School Admissions Code 2021 does not require an admissions authority to consult when maintaining or increasing a school’s PAN, there is a requirement to consult when the proposal is to reduce.

We are seeking comments on the proposal to change the PAN from 90 to 60 from September 2025.

The Local Authority also intends to request a variation to admission arrangements already set, to request that the Office of Schools Adjudicator agrees to allow the school to set a PAN of 60 for the 2024 intake.

2. Clarify the admission arrangements for admission to junior schools

We have added some clarity to the wording regarding the admissions procedure for entry to Thelwall Community Junior School.

There are no changes to the admissions procedure to the school. Children from Thelwall Infant School will move to the junior school as they have done before.

We have added some clarity to the wording regarding the admissions procedure for entry to Broomfields Junior School.

You can read more in the below document. The proposed changes are highlighted in grey.

 
Draft - Determined Admission arrangements for community primary and secondary schools and nursery classes – Academic year 2025-2 (214.61 KB)
Frequently Asked Questions

I’m worried about being able to obtain a school place for my child in Reception?

Children who attend The Cobbs Infant and Nursery School often come from the Appleton, Grappenhall, Stockton Heath and Latchford areas. After the PAN change at The Cobbs our data shows 495 available places in the relevant pupil placing planning areas with an expected demand of around 434 children in 2024, 456 in 2025 and 483 in 2026. Therefore, there are sufficient school places for children in the area and the Local Authority is not concerned about finding places for children.

I’m worried about a sibling being able to get a place at The Cobbs

After Looked After Children, siblings continue to be given the highest priority in the oversubscription criteria for The Cobbs:

Siblings (pupils with elder brothers or sisters already attending the preferred school and expected to continue at the school in the following school year. This includes full, half or step brothers and sisters and foster brothers and sisters who are living at the same address as part of the same family unit)

The oversubscription criteria are not being changed for The Cobbs – only the Published Admission Number.

Will the change affect the quality of education at The Cobbs?

The quality of education at The Cobbs is strong. Ofsted inspected the school in 2022 and the school is graded as ‘Good’. The Ofsted report states:

“Pupils said that this is a happy school where they love to learn and be with their friends. This is no surprise as the school’s positive values and warm and friendly relationships are at the heart of The Cobbs. Pupils feel safe and value the highly supportive, welcoming environment. They know that staff care about them. Pupils trust staff to help them when they need support. Leaders and staff are ambitious for every pupil, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children in early years and pupils in key stage 1 are expected to achieve highly. Staff are successful at making this happen. Pupils are keen learners and said that their teachers make learning interesting. Staff have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. Pupils are keen to follow the ‘golden’ rules. Pupils know how to spot the different kinds of bullying. Pupils and their parents and carers said that bullying is dealt with quickly if it does occur. From Nursery to Year 2, teachers make the most of the wonderful environment that surrounds the school to support the curriculum. For example, pupils develop their imagination and their artistic and scientific knowledge and skills through exploring the school’s beautiful woodland area.”

It is expected that the quality of education will continue to be strong after the PAN change.

What if demand for places at The Cobbs increases again?

The situation would be reviewed annually. The PAN can be increased, when necessary, without consultation.

Why does The Cobbs need to reduce its PAN?

Due to changes in demand for places in the local area over the last few years, the size of The Cobbs’ Reception intake has reduced:

  • In 2020/21 75 children were admitted.
  • In 2021/22 68 children were admitted.
  • In 2022/23 71 children were admitted.
  • In 2023/24 56 children were admitted.

For the 2023/24 school year the school is able to operate two classes only as the intake was less than 60 children. However, if this number was over 60 then the school would be required to operate with three classes, with the need to employ an additional teacher and teaching assistants. Whilst the PAN is 90, this presents a financial risk.

Is the school financially secure?

There are no financial concerns about the financial security at The Cobbs. However, running three classes that are under capacity would create a financial concern. The PAN change should increase the financial security of the school.

Will the school need to change the way that it delivers the curriculum? Will class sizes be changed?

The school intends to continue to deliver a high-quality curriculum to classes of up to 30 children. There are no plans for year groups to mix.

My child is at The Cobbs. Will they still be able to move up to Broomfields Junior School?

Warrington Borough Council is not the admissions authority for Broomfields Junior School. Parents should refer to the admissions policy for the school.

My child is at Thelwall Infant School. Will they still be able to move up to Thelwall Community Junior School?

Thelwall Community Junior School is not changing its admissions policy. Children will still be able to move up from Thelwall Infant School as they have always done. Warrington Borough Council is not the admissions authority for Thelwall Infant School.

Take part and share your views

We would like to hear your views or comments about Proposed changes to Warrington’s Determined Admission Arrangements, you can get involved in the following ways:

The closing date for responses is 12 midday on Friday 5 January 2024

What happens next?

Once closed we will consider the views given in response to this consultation and make a decision. Once made we will update our Determined Admission Arrangements and add them to our admissions webpage.

Data Protection and Confidentiality

We comply with all legislation governing the protection of personal information, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Any personal information you supply will remain strictly confidential and anonymous and will be held and used in line with the Data Protection Act 2018. We will only use your personal information for the purpose for which it has been given.

Accessibility

If you require the questionnaire in another language or format including large print, Braille, audio, or British Sign Language please contact us:

  • Telephone 01925 44 3322
  • Email communications@warrington.gov.uk  
  • A paper copy of the survey and consultation documents can be made on request using the details above.

More information via Accessibility statement | warrington.gov.uk

15 February 2024