A CONSULTATION is being held about the admissions criteria for places at one of the most oversubscribed primaries in the district.

Bradford Council is asking families for their views on how places are allocated when applications outnumber places at Eldwick Primary School where families living within two defined areas are now given priority.

The two priority areas were originally created to ensure children living in Eldwick and Gilstead could get places at their nearest school as far as possible.

But since a number of new houses have been built in the area, it has not always been possible for children in Gilstead to get a place in recent years due to rising demand.

The number of pupils the school accepts into the reception has increased from 60 to 75 children. For the 2014 intake, there were 252 applications across all preferences, making Eldwick one of the most oversubscribed primaries in the district.

There is still a need, however, to protect families in Eldwick Village who do not have reasonable access to another school without travelling past Eldwick Primary.

The Council is looking at five options for the school's future admissions criteria as it is keen to ensure applications for the school continue to be dealt with in the fairest way possible.

The five options are: keep the current criteria as they are; remove the priority areas completely; merge the current priority areas into one area; replace the two priority areas with a single, smaller priority area to the north east of the current area; and create two amended priority areas.

Councillor Ralph Berry, the Council's executive member for children's services, said: "We welcome the views of local people, organisations and especially parents and carers as it is imperative that the admissions criteria are as fair and effective as possible."

Councillor John Pennington (Con, Bingley) welcomed the consultation, as long as there were no preconceived ideas.

"One of the problems is at Swan Avenue, where children on one side of the road qualify for their nearest school, but those on the other side don't.

"There has to be a demarcation line somewhere though."

The consultation runs from Monday, November 24, 2014, until February 2, 2015. People are being contacted by email or letter and asked to submit their views. The consultation is also open to staff and governors at local schools, councillors and other members of the local community, the Catholic and Church of England diocese, the Muslim Association and other relevant organisations.

All the responses will then be analysed and a report will be presented to the Council's executive on March 10, 2015.

MORE EDUCATION HEADLINES: