Torbay Council is consulting on a change to the Admission Arrangements for voluntary controlled and community schools in Torbay.

The council is proposing to alter the Admission Arrangements for the 2016/17 academic year so they reflect the statutory requirements of the 2014 School Admissions Code. The proposed changes will prioritise children with siblings already at a school over other children, even if they live outside the designated area.

The schools that these proposals relate to are Brixham CE Primary School, Furzeham Primary School, Homelands Primary School, Oldway Primary School, Roselands Primary School, Sherwell Valley Primary School, Upton St James CE Primary School and Watcombe Primary School.

Consultation is also being undertaken for Cockington Primary School and Westlands School by Torbay Council on behalf of the academies. Cockington is seeking to remove its designated area and Westlands School is seeking to add greater clarity to its arrangements.

The consultation began on 30 December 2014 (earlier in December for Cockington) and will end on 13 February 2015 for Cockington Primary School, and 1 March 2015 for all the other schools under consultation. Residents are invited to view these proposals on the Council’s website and to submit any comments during the consultation period.

Torbay Council's Executive Lead for Children, Schools and Families, Councillor, Ken Pritchard, said: “I would urge you as either a parent who has gone through the admissions process, or have an interest in this area to take a look at the proposals and submit your comments. All comments will be considered and a final version of the 2016/17 admission arrangements will be published on the school website by 1 May 2016”.

To view the proposals and submit a comment visit www.torbay.gov.uk/admissionconsultation