The Forum ensures that the interests of parents and pupils
come first, and that certain principles are observed when
admissions policies are proposed by governors.
Maintained mainstream schools in Lewisham are represented, as well
as the Diocesan authorities who oversee faith schools.
The Forum is a non-statutory body whose role is to consider
proposed and existing admissions arrangements and assess how well
they serve the interests of local parents and children.
The Forum also monitors
how admissions relate to published admissions numbers and reviews
the comprehensiveness and accessibility of guidance for parents and
the composite prospectus produced by the local
authority.
Forum meetings
The Forum meets every term
to:
·
consider existing and
proposed admissions arrangements
·
promote agreement on
admission issues
·
consider improvements to
admissions processes
·
review admissions guidance
for parents
·
promote agreement on
arrangements for dealing with in-year admissions including for
challenging and vulnerable pupils
·
publish advice representing the agreed views
of the Forum, in the form of a leaflet which is distributed to the
governors of all schools which are their own admission
authorities.
The Forum works in
partnership with local schools and has been very successful in
simplifying admission arrangements and making them more accessible
for parents.