Dozens of appeals are expected across Bradford district (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Dozens of appeals are expected across Bradford district

6:51pm Monday 1st March 2010 in

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More than one in five children have missed out on a place at their first choice secondary school from September.

Families across the Bradford district received the result of their applications for places through the post or by e-mail today.

Sue Colman, Bradford Council’s assistant director for learning services, said: “The allocation process has been completed for 6,750 children who are due to transfer to secondary school in September 2010.

“Ninety-five per cent of pupils were allocated to one of their preferred schools – 78.5 per cent were given their first preference. Five per cent, 366 children, were not allocated any of their preferred schools.

“The percentages of pupils being allocated a school of their choice has increased by half a per cent from last year.”

With the figures near to what they were last year, the Council can expect to receive a swathe of appeals in the coming weeks. As of five weeks ago, some 1,902 appeals over the allocation of primary and secondary school places had been heard by independent appeals panels since April, at a cost of £67,558.

Councillor Ralph Berry, education spokesman for the Council’s Labour group, said he was concerned enough had not been done since last year to provide extra places in the most under-pressure areas of the district.

“While on paper the overwhelming majority are getting something like their expressed preference, for some children they will have to travel a considerable distance at considerable cost,” he said.

“The numbers expected in planning and projection of places have not matched up again. I’m concerned that this far down the process we are still looking for the reasons why.”

Coun David Ward, education spokesman for the Council’s Liberal Democrat group, said: “Efforts have been made to try to provide additional spaces. We have got the expansion of places under phase three of the Building Schools for Future programme in particular which should improve the figures in the future.”

Coun Ward said: “The percentage of parents who got one of their three choices is not bad going. Yes the appeals process is bound to be costly and still, I think, some people have this false assumption that they have a right rather than an expression of preference to a place.

“What we need now is to ensure that the appeals panels are fully staffed and people are treated fairly.”

Councillor Michael Kelly, the Council’s executive member for services to children and young people, said he did not want to comment until he had more information about the outcomes of allocations.

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