Pupils miss out in school place ‘lottery’ (From Haringey Independent)

Pupils miss out in school place ‘lottery’

7:43pm Wednesday 7th March 2007 in Education By Caron Kemp

Nearly 200 children in Haringey have been denied a place at any of their six preferred secondary schools in September.

All 2,540 primary school children vying for places at secondary schools in September found out last week which school they had been allocated. But 191 children - eight per cent of those who applied - did not get any of their six choices.

Last year 189 children found themselves without a school of their choice.

Competition for places at schools in the west of Haringey is particularly fierce.

Those children currently without a place will be allocated one by Haringey Council at the nearest school to their home which still has places available. Otherwise, parents can appeal against the decision before next Friday's deadline.

Margaret Morrissey, of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, described the process of allocating children a secondary school an admissions lottery'.

She said: "The dilemma in all of this is that it's been happening for a few years now and absolutely nothing substantial is happening to address it. We've got a new admissions code and the greatest thing to come out of it is an admissions lottery which is no help to the people of Haringey."

Among the deciding factors for allocating school places is special educational needs, exceptional medical or social needs, siblings already at the school and proximity to the child's home.

Haringey councillor Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for children and young people, said she was deeply concerned at another increase in the number of children without a school place.

A new secondary school is being built between Hornsey and Wood Green but it is at least three years from completion.

Ms Engert said: "The new secondary school in Haringey was needed in 2008 rather than the projected 2010.

"The lack of secondary school places is something that, as a consequence of Labour's indecision, will not diminish in the near future."

It was better news for 1,767 children - 70 per cent of applicants - who were granted their first choice of school.

Councillor Liz Santry, executive member for children and young people, said: "More than two thirds of children have been offered a place at their first preference school and more than 90 per cent offered a place at one of the schools named by the parents.

"We will help the minority of parents whose children were not offered a place to find a school for their child."