A CONSULTATION on changes to school catchment areas for Barry primary schools will begin in January, following Vale Council cabinet approval.

Parents will be able to state their views online or by returning forms mailed to them.

School catchment areas help the council to prioritise applications for the most popular schools and are regularly reviewed to reflect shifts in population and the size of schools.

Changes could alter the catchment areas for seven schools and, if agreed, would be taken into account for children starting reception classes in September 2015.

The council will also be consulting with the governing bodies of local schools about changes to admission arrangements that have been proposed by the Welsh Government.

Children leaving care will be given priority when school places are allocated and offers of school places will be made at the same time across the whole of Wales.

Cabinet member for children's services Cllr Chris Elmore said: “The school catchment review will enhance the council’s admission process and promote fair access to primary schools."

Proposed revisions to school catchment areas:

Barry Island Primary - transfer of the Knap area to High Street Primary catchment area.

High Street Primary - incorporate the Knap area within the school catchment area.

Oak Field Primary - transfer of the Pencoedtre Lane area to Colcot Primary and the Pencoedtre development to Palmerston Primary.

Colcot Primary - incorporate the Golwg y Coed, off Pencoedtre Lane, and nearby area within the school catchment area.

Palmerston Primary - incorporate the Pencoedtre development within the school catchment area.

Ysgol St Curig - transfer of the Rhoose area to Ysgol Dewi Sant.

Ysgol Dewi Sant - Incorporate the Rhoose area within the school catchment area.

Proposed changes to the Council's admissions policy for community schools:

The inclusion of 'previously looked after children' alongside 'looked after children' in the admission authorities' oversubscription criteria

Common offer dates will be set which will determine when decision letters must be issued within each local authority

Requirement that waiting lists are maintained until September, 30 where schools are oversubscribed

Additional exceptions to the class size legislation

More opportunities to vary existing admission arrangements without reference to Welsh Ministers