School places a class struggle (From Haringey Independent)

School places a class struggle

5:20pm Wednesday 14th March 2007 in Education

More than 1,200 children applied for a place at a Muswell Hill secondary school - for just over 200 vacancies.

Alexandra Park School, in Bidwell Gardens, received 1,205 applications for 216 Year 7 places.

Headteacher Rosslyn Hudson said: "We are always heavily over-subscribed and have always had in excess of 1,000 applications. We are totally comprehensive and parents know that a whole range of abilities will be accepted.

"I am sure the option of studying Mandarin, Latin and classical civilisation also appeals to many. We have wonderful staff who are passionate about their teaching and committed to students learning in Haringey."

All 11 secondary schools in the borough received more applications than places available.

Councillor Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for children and young people, called the excessive demand for secondary school places in Haringey, particularly in the west of the borough, unacceptable'.

She said: "This crisis is getting worse each year.

"The Lib Dems have said a 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."

Haringey Council dismissed the issue. A spokesman said: "There are sufficient places for all children seeking a place at a Haringey secondary school. Haringey has a rising population and its secondary schools are more popular.

"We have put in place plans for a new secondary school to open in 2010 - the earliest possible date under the Building Schools for the Future programme."

Parents have until tomorrow to appeal if they are not happy with the school to which their child has been allocated. Parents had to make six choices for their preferred school; 70 per cent of children got their first choice, but 189 children got none of their six.

Ms Hudson said: "It is always tragic that people won't get into the school that they want to get into, we always have a huge number of appeals and that can be quite heartbreaking."