Issue - meetings

This report sets out proposed amendments to the Admission Arrangements for Brent Community Schools for 2025/26 and seeks Cabinet’s view on whether Brent Council should carry out a formal consultation to be completed by 31 January 2024.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve consultation being undertaken on the following amendments to existing admission arrangements (having noted that the proposals were not inter-dependent and could be agreed individually):

(1)    The reduction of the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Mitchell Brook Primary School from 90 to 60.

(2)    The reduction of the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Fryent Primary School from 120 to 90.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Thursday 23 November 23

Councillor Grahl (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools) introduced a report which set out proposed amendments to the Admission arrangements for Brent Community Schools in 2025 – 26 along with proposals for formal consultation on a reduction in the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Mitchell Brook Primary School and Fryent Primary School.

In considering the report, Cabinet noted the detail provided in support of the proposals, recognising the fall in demand for pupil places within the primary sector across areas of the borough.  In commenting on the nature of the challenges identified, members felt it important to note the impact of the current cost-of-living crisis, increase in the cost of housing and changes introduced as a result of austerity to the welfare system which it was felt had all contributed to families struggling to afford to settle in the borough and across London, with the associated impact on varying demand for pupil places made more challenging (especially in relation to the primary sector) by the ongoing pressures on school funding as a result of the Government’s education policy.

In commending the work being undertaken with schools to support them in managing the impact of falling demand and any resulting transition process, members also recognised the way in which the proposals had been designed to support and ensure the longer-term sustainability of educational provision across the borough given the importance of schools and education provision across Brent.

As a result, it was RESOLVED to approve consultation being undertaken on the following amendments to existing admission arrangements (having noted that the proposals were not inter-dependent and could be agreed individually):

(1)    The reduction of the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Mitchell Brook Primary School from 90 to 60.

(2)    The reduction of the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Fryent Primary School from 120 to 90.