School places row end in sight

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Thursday 16th Oct 2003.

County chiefs have decided to increase the number of reception places available at Fynamore School after a 12-month battle with parents whose children were rejected.

The popularity of the school meant it was heavily oversubscribed in September 2002 and more than 15 parents failed to get their children into the school even though they lived locally or had other children at the school.

A row between parents and the LEA has been continuing for over a year but finally it seems a solution may have been found.

Parents Justin Oliver and Alison McFarlane said they were being forced to keep their children at home even though they wanted to send them to school.

The LEA has now decided to resolve the argument by creating a new reception class, opening up 15 new spaces.

The current reception class will be merged with year one, to create the extra space. The changes may mean headteacher Carolyn Maddox will have to take on more teachers. The spaces would be made available immediately after half term.

Mrs McFarlane could not get her four-year-old daughter Lucy into the school even though she lives just 40 yards away from the main gates. Lucy's older sister Katie, aged six, is already at the school.

"This is looking very promising at last and if successful then Lucy and other children in the same situation should be able to start on November 3. It will mean an end to a year of hassle and something worth celebrating I can tell you. This has made my year for sure," said Mrs McFarlane.

Mr Oliver, wants to get his youngest son Liam, aged four, into the school. Liam's siblings Luke, aged eight, and Sophie, five, are already at the school.

He is delighted about the LEA's decision and is keeping his fingers crossed.

"It came about because of parents' power. It was people power against the LEA. But this is not just about Fynamore School, I am sure it is happening at schools across the country."

School governor and North Wiltshire District councillor John Ireland said parents were over the moon about the news.

"I think it's brilliant. After all this time and all the aggravation for it to be solved so quickly and easily, it shows the power of going to the top."

The decision follows discussions between Mrs Maddox, school governors and senior LEA officers.

Bob Wolfson, director of the department for children, education and libraries, said: "While the LEA has followed the letter of the law in implementing its admissions policy, it has clearly, in this instance, left some parents not only dissatisfied, but also in difficult situations. We felt that we had to go the extra mile to ensure that those situations were resolved."

Any applications for these places must reach the LEA by noon on Wednesday, October 22.

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