The 2002 Education Act placed a statutory requirement on every Children's Services (then LEA) to appoint an Admissions Forum, to provide a vehicle for admission authorities and other interested parties to come together to consider admission issues. In brief, the role of the Forum (see menu link on left) is to consider the effectiveness of local admission arrangements, seek agreement on how to deal with difficult admission issues such as the placement of challenging pupils and advise admission authorities on ways in which their arrangements can be improved. Forums are, therefore, advisory rather than decision-making bodies, with the brief of promoting good practice and ensuring that admission arrangements in their area serve effectively the interests of local parents and children.
Cumbria's Admissions Forum has been meeting each term since September 2003.