The adjudicator has agreed that the council's introduction of a sibling link for all pupils, regardless of whether they live within a school's catchment area, can proceed as planned. This change aims to allow families to continue benefiting from previous admissions arrangements that offer places to those living outside catchment areas, including criteria related to free school meals and open admissions.
Following government changes to the issuance of benefits-related free school meals, the adjudicator has also clarified the wording of the council's free school meals criteria. The priority criteria for pupils eligible for free school meals will now apply to those eligible for ‘targeted’ rather than ‘expanded’ free school meals. The council will offer a proportion of places across the city's secondary schools based on the average of targeted free school meals, to be determined by the autumn school census.
Councillor Jacob Taylor, Deputy Leader of the Council, welcomed the decisions, stating, “We welcome the adjudicator’s decisions and are pleased that our approach to expanding the sibling link for all pupils regardless of catchment area has been upheld. This reflects our commitment to tackling inequality, creating greater equity of opportunity and improving educational outcomes.” He also welcomed the clarity on free school meals criteria, noting that the council's admissions must now reflect the national system. The determination also means the council will review its proposals for managing pupils on waiting lists for secondary schools.
The council is currently considering the full details of the adjudicator's decision and will address any necessary amendments to its admissions arrangements by 31 October. Further information will be updated on the council's website once finalised.
