Admission Guide.
1. This guidance applies to the admission of children to 1st Ightham Beaver, Cub and Scout Sections.
2. The Scout Association Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) do not stipulate an admissions policy for child members of the movement beyond the following:
a. Children must be between ages 5 3⁄4 and 18 years (POR Section 3).
b. Admissions must be open to males and females (POR Section 3.1).
c. The decision to admit anyone to the membership of the Scout Group rests with the Group Lead Volunteer (GLV) (although this can be delegated) (POR Section 3.2).
d. Members of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts forfeit membership if they leave the Group (POR Section 3.3) or do not attend 4 consecutive meeting without consulting the section Team Volunteer.
3. In 1st Ightham Scout Group the GLV currently manages has delegated the management of the ‘expression of interest’ list and the admission process. The list is discussed regularly at Team Volunteer meetings.
4. Young people are admitted to 1st Ightham Scout Group when they become eligible by age (in relation to their School year) subject to there being sufficient places within their starting section andthere is a strong likelihood that there will be sufficient space in subsequent sections in the future for the existing members of 1st Ightham Group and the new joiner. For example, a new joiner will be admitted to Beavers if there is space for them in Cubs and that there will be space for all current Cubs in Scouts when they are due to move up by age and there will be space for the new joiner in Scouts when they are due to move up.
5. The prospective member will be put on the ‘expression of interest’ list if
a. There is insufficient space for a new member at that point in time. Insufficient space will be either all the places are currently full or places have been allocated to allow progression from previous sections i.e. Cubs.
b. Prospective member is below the age of 5 3⁄4 years.
6. Prospective members on the ‘expression of interest’ list naturally progress to a ‘expression of interest’ list for the next section. A place will not be offered if the child will have less than 1 year in the section.
7. New members are selected from the ‘expression of interest’ list, in accordance with the following priorities:
a. Children of Team Volunteers (which were previously called leaders) and other uniformed adult volunteer members.
b. Children of Trustee Board members or helpers performing a significant support role.
c. Children who have left the previous Section (Beavers and Cubs only at present) due to age.
d. Children who have moved into Ightham Parish or Plaxtol Parish from outside Malling District and were immediately prior to their move members of a Scout Group.
e. Children living in Ightham Parish and Plaxtol Parish.
f. The child’s age in relation to spaces for their school year.
g. Children transferring from other Scout Groups within Kent and not living in Ightham Parish or Plaxtol Parish. This category is accorded a low priority as they may still have the opportunity to attend their previous group.
8. Once a child has gained admission to a 1st Ightham Scout group section every effort will be made to ensure a place will be available in the next section although this cannot be guaranteed.
9. Children will normally leave their current section, at the end of term following their birthday passing the age limit for their current section:
a. Beavers 8 years
b. Cubs 10 1⁄2 years
c. Scouts 14 years
Exceptions may be made to this for children with Special Needs after consultation with the Group Lead Volunteer and relevant section Team Volunteer (leader) Should a parent or guardian wish to appeal against a decision of the Group Lead Volunteer they should do so directly to the Group Chair whose decision will be final.
Please note
• Unfortunately not every child will obtain a place
• This guidance is designed to maximise the number of children who are admitted
• We are a very popular group and always oversubscribed.