School allocations sparking row over 'unfair' admissions criteria

CHILDREN from a failing Hull school earmarked for closure may be taken by bus several miles to another doomed secondary because of an unfair admissions policy, it has been claimed.

Parents of pupils at David Lister – which went into special measures in July 2008, and which the Government wants closed "as soon as possible" – are being overlooked for places at Malet Lambert in favour of children living on Victoria Dock, the city council's opposition Labour group has said.

Secondary education in the city is facing a massive shake-up under the Building Schools for the Future programme, with some schools facing closure and new ones being opened.

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The forthcoming closure of Lister – with a proposed date of August 2012 – has led to a rapidly falling pupil roll as parents seek places at schools with a future.

The scramble for places has led to the popular Malet Lambert being massively oversubscribed – leaving some of those who missed out facing the prospect of being sent to Endeavour High, which is also in special measures and may be closed in favour of a new school in West Hull.

Labour group leader, Councillor Steve Brady, who represents many Lister parents in the Southcoates West ward, said many had complained and called for a rethink of the policy.

He said: "The residents in my ward overlook the (East) park so they can see Malet Lambert School, but they aren't able to go.

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"The kids from Victoria Dock, which must be two-and-a-half miles away, are going to be able to go.

"The reason they don't want to go to Lister is because they don't want their children's education interfered with.

"I have asked them to at least guarantee the Lister kids a place at the new academy (Archbishop Sentamu) but they say they can't and it's a disgrace."

He said of those responsible for the policy: "They need to go back to school themselves if they can't fathom this out."

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Parents found out on Monday which schoold they had been allocated.

Those who did not get their first choices can appeal against the decisions.

At Malet Lambert there were 785 applications for 280 places

Last year, there were 842 applications.

Of those turned down 55 had appealed by July. A total of 10 of those appeals were successful and led to places being offered.

Judith Harwood, head of learning, leisure and achievement at the council, said: "Our first legal duty is to comply with parental preference wherever possible, however, because the school is very popular with parents, the authority has to apply its oversubscription criteria which are laid out in the admissions policy.

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"It's important to note the authority only applies these if the school is oversubscribed, otherwise parents receive the school of their choice irrespective of where they live."

The council said after the allocation of places to children with special educational needs, the oversubscription criteria, in order of priority, was for those children:

n In local authority care;

n With significant medical factors or exceptional family circumstances;

n Living in the catchment area of the school;

n Having a brother or sister attending the school at the expected time of admission;

n Living nearest the school.

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Endeavour High School was built in Beverley Road nine years ago at a cost of 15m.

It went into special measures for a second time in July last year.

Education officials have admitted it was built in the "wrong place" and plan to close it subject to funding being secured to build another school in West Hull.

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