Consultation on Fair Access Protocol for primary and secondary schools

Each local authority is required to have in place a Fair Access Protocol (FAP) agreed with the majority of schools in its area (School and Standards Framework Act 1998).

The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that, outside the normal admissions round, unplaced children, especially the most vulnerable, are offered a place at a suitable school as quickly as possible. The protocol also seeks to ensure that no school – including those with available places – is asked to take a disproportionate number of children who have been excluded from other schools, or who have challenging behaviour.

A consultation was launched last week on the draft Fair Access Protocol for 2019/2020 and all primary and secondary schools in Warwickshire should have received a copy of this document by email, along with instructions on how to respond.

In order for this protocol to be adopted, the majority of schools will need to agree to its implementation so it is important that ALL schools respond to the consultation (with the exception of special schools who are not covered by the protocol).

The consultation will run from 2 May until 5.30pm on Friday 7 June.

Please ensure you complete the online form (link provided in the email sent last week) to acknowledge that you have received a copy of the protocol and to confirm whether you agree with its implementation from 1 September 2019. There is space on the form for you to add comments and we encourage you to provide any feedback so that this can be addressed throughout the consultation period.

Following the consultation, the next step will be to present the responses and protocol to Cabinet on 11 July.  

For any queries or concerns please contact Cheryl Wild, Lead Officer for In-Year Admissions and Fair Access on 01926 742061, 07825 842500 or email cherylwild@warwickshire.gov.uk.