The Education (Admission Forums) (England) Regulations 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations contain provisions for the establishment of admission forums.

Regulation 3 describes the role of a forum. Its role is: to consider existing admission arrangements within a forum area including co-ordinated admission arrangements; to promote agreement on admission issues; to consider the admission literature produced by each admission authority; to monitor the admission of excluded children, looked after children, children with special educational needs and children who arrive outside the normal admission round; and to consider any other admissions issues arising.

Regulation 4 establishes the groups of schools which are represented as core members of the forum. Regulation 5 provides for the membership of the forum. The membership is comprised of core members and other members, who are appointed by the authority. Members representing the Church of England diocese, the Roman Catholic diocese, Academies and City Technology Colleges are appointed following a nomination. Regulation 5(8) enables the core members to invite other interested parties to attend a meeting of the forum. Academies are established under section 482 of the Education Act 1996 as amended by section 65 of the Education Act 2002.

Regulation 6 provides for the tenure of members. A core member shall not be appointed for a period exceeding four years and shall vacate office during this period if he ceases to be a member of the body whom he is representing, or he is removed from office following a recommendation of the core members. A person who is appointed following a nomination will cease to become a member if the body who nominated him are of the opinion that he should no longer be a member. The tenure of other members shall be determined by the core members. The office of all members will cease if a forum is dissolved in consequence of the establishment of a joint forum.

Regulation 7 provides for the election of a chairman and vice-chairman at the first meeting of the forum. The chairman and vice-chairman may or may not be members of the forum, on ceasing to hold office may be re-elected. They may resign their office by providing written notice to the secretary to this effect. Regulation 8 provides for the appointment of a secretary of the forum, who is nominated by the authority, but must not be a member of the forum.

Regulation 9 requires the forum to meet at least three times during the first year and at least twice each year thereafter. The first meeting should be held within two months of the date these Regulations come into force. Subject to any provisions in the Regulations the core members may regulate their own procedure for meetings. Regulation 10 enables a member to nominate an alternate member to attend meetings in his absence.

Regulation 11 requires a forum to provide advice to all admission authorities, schools and Academies within its area, and to make available such advice to any other persons who may have an interest. Regulation 12 enables authorities to form joint forums, but requires an authority to dissolve an existing forum before establishing a joint forum. These Regulations shall apply to joint forums with such adaptations as are set out in the Schedule. Regulation 13 enables a forum to determine the constitution and procedure for a sub-committee established by an authority under section 85A(2) of the 1998 Act.