Royal Borough residents are being asked their views on proposed school admissions arrangements for the academic year 2011-2012.

Parents, governors, teachers and other interested residents are being urged to have their say as part of the annual consultation on proposed arrangements for admission to community and voluntary controlled schools.

The consultation covers a wide range of elements of school admission procedures including allocating places, late applications, changes of preference, appeals, waiting lists and "in-year" admissions.

The consultation asks for any changes to the proposals, the reasons for the suggested changes and any further comments.

The consultation closes on Saturday 27 February 2010 after which the new arrangements will be considered and decided upon at Cabinet in March.

The consultation can be viewed at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/consultations_admission.htm  For a paper copy either email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01628 796779 – or view copies at any of the borough's schools.

Responses can be sent to Admissions Arrangements Consultation, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1RF; by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 01628 796779.

Included in the consultation are two new arrangements for "in-year" applications (requests for school places at times other than normal transfer times such as starting school at age five or thereabouts, or when leaving primary, first, middle, infant or junior school for the next phase of education):
•    until now, parents requesting school places at times other than at normal transfer times have applied directly to their preferred primary school. For places from September 2010 these applications will be made through the local authority responsible for the preferred school
•    In addition, from September 2011 parents will have to apply to the local authority to whom they pay council tax – even if the school is in another authority.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children's services, said: "As a local authority we are required to consult on admission arrangements every year and we always encourage residents who are involved or interested in education to give us their views.

"This year the new arrangements focus on "in-year" applications which can be particularly relevant and important when families move into the area or transfer their children to another school other than at designated transfer times.

"Please do take the time to read the consultation document and let us have your views.  It is important to us to hear those views to help us provide admissions arrangements which meet the needs of as many people as possible."

The consultation covers a wide range of elements of school admission procedures including allocating places, late applications, changes of preference, appeals, waiting lists and "in-year" admissions.

The consultation asks for any changes to the proposals, the reasons for the suggested changes and any further comments.

The consultation closes on Saturday 27 February 2010 after which the new arrangements will be considered and decided upon at Cabinet in March.

The consultation can be viewed at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/consultations_admission.htm  For a paper copy either email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01628 796779 – or view copies at any of the borough's schools.

Responses can be sent to Admissions Arrangements Consultation, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1RF; by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 01628 796779.