Agenda item

Officers introduced the briefing note on in-year admissions.

Members asked if asylum-seeking children were still residing in airport hotels or if they were being accommodated elsewhere. Officers responded that there were no unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in hotels in the area. The Local Authority provided timely accommodation and ensured transfer to the appropriate local authority under the National Transfer Scheme where appropriate. There were a number of children with their families residing in local hotels which were used by the Home Office. Asylum-seeking children received educational provisions such as ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).

Members further asked about the use of airport hotels for asylum-seekers and for how long this may continue. Officers noted that there were a number of hotels in use around Heathrow which had been set up as they were available during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of hotels being used had decreased, but some were still in use. Some had been stood down.

Members asked about the tightness in years 9 and 10, particularly in the south of the borough. Officers acknowledged this and noted that some schools had not shared their numbers. The Fair Access Panel was used to place hard-to-place children who had been out of education for a period of time.

Members noted the complex issue of children living in Hillingdon but attending private schools outside the borough who were struggling to find school places within the borough. There was a case of a private school finishing at Year 8 and a young person had been on the waiting list of nearby schools for three years. Officers responded that they actively looked at vacancies in surrounding schools that were local to the home address. The Fair Access Panel could be utilised for children without a school place.

Members asked about the impact of the new government's 20% VAT on private schools, which may force children into new schools mid-year if parents could no longer afford the fees. Officers noted that prior to the General Election they had received lots of enquiries regarding vacancies in the borough. Officers had also received 59 applications between June and 13 September from parents of children attending private schools. Of these, 29 were for secondary places and 30 for primary places and across all year groups. These applications were being processed, and officers continued to monitor the situation.

Members asked if the 59 applications were for children with SEND provision or from SEND schools. Officers confirmed that the 59 applications were from mainstream private schools. Applications from special independent schools would go through the SEND team.

Members cited research from the Taxpayers Alliance which suggested that the new VAT policy may cost taxpayers more money. Members asked about receiving any uplift from Government. There was no indication of this but officers were due to attend the London Council's meeting on 14 October to discuss the impact of private school applications on Local Authorities. Officers assured Members that the right processes were in place to address applications in a timely and equal manner.

Members asked about ESOL lessons for asylum-seeking children. Officers explained that ESOL lessons were provided based on individual needs for the duration that the young person was in Hillingdon until they were transferred under the National Transfer Scheme. Alternatively, if they remained in Hillingdon and became Looked After Children, ESOL would last for three months depending on need. During this time, the Virtual School and education colleagues ensured appropriate school placement. There was a framework for ESOL to support children through entry level, level one and level two courses.

Members asked about any feedback from schools on the borough’s admissions policy. Officers noted that they had a good working relationship with schools and addressed any issues raised. It was recognised that schools closer to the hotels to host asylum-seekers were more impacted and officers supported them. The continuous movement of children in and out of the borough also impacted these schools.

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the report