The current Published Admission Number (PAN) at St. Oswald’s Church of England Primary School is 60. This means that the number of children admitted to the school in reception each year is a maximum of 60.

In recent years across the Aireborough District, there has been a significant decrease in the birth rate. This means that has also been a significant reduction in the number of Reception places required across the district and current forecasts indicate that Reception numbers in the coming years will decrease further. A number of Aireborough schools have already reduced their PAN, some more than once.

A large portion of funding received by schools is directly related to the number of pupils attending the school. Too many unused pupil places mean that schools will not receive the maximum possible revenue. Therefore, the school is proposing to reduce the number of available places to enable the school to operate more efficiently and cost effectively.

The Local Authority’s forecast information has been used to model the school’s budget over the next 3 years. This process showed that, if the PAN remains at 60, the school is likely to face significant financial difficulty. The proposed PAN reduction will help to ensure the school has a financially stable position.

The School Admissions Code requires that all admission authorities consult where they propose to reduce a PAN and in accordance with this St. Oswald’s Church of England Primary School is consulting with key stakeholders, including:

• • Parents/carers of current pupils and prospective parents of pupils
  • Leeds City Council (the Local Authority in which the school is situated)
  • Councillors and MPs
  • Trade Unions
  • Anyone else who has an interest in the proposed change

This consultation will run from Monday 15th December 2025 until Saturday 31st January 2026, with a meeting at school open to all to discuss on Monday 12th January at 5pm. Comments on the consultation are welcomed via email to PAN@stoswaldsleeds.org, or brought to the school office, by 30th January 2026.

After this time any representations received will be considered and a report taken to the Governing Board for a decision to be made on the PAN for St. Oswald’s Church of England Primary School.

The Governing Board at St. Oswald’s Church of England Primary School and the Council will look creatively at solutions in the future, should there be a rise in birth rates and a shortage of school places in the planning area – e.g. a bulge intake.

The Governing Board believe that reducing the PAN at St. Oswald’s will provide stability for the school’s long-term planning and allow it to continue to deliver high quality educational outcomes for the pupils currently on roll. The reduction in PAN will ensure that an appropriate number of places are provided for future pupils, in line with forecasts.