THE PARENTS of Bramhope children refused entry to a popular Otley school by education chiefs have vowed to battle on.

The parents of six Bramhope Primary School pupils were shocked to discover their children had not gained places at Prince Henry's Grammar School for this September, despite living within the school's traditional catchment area.

The school - which has specialist language college status - has a waiting list for entry, with people from outside of Wharfedale fighting for and gaining places.

Following an unsuccessful appeal against the decision, and meetings this week between local schools and Education Leeds, the Bramhope parents have now pinned their hopes on the decision being reconsidered.

Worst-affected are Susan Costello's sons, Stuart and Stephen, who have been allocated Carr Manor High School in Meanwood - two bus rides away in north Leeds.

Mrs Costello, of Tredgold Avenue, says she will be unable to drive her sons to school, and as well as being segregated from their current school friends, the boys - currently ten years old - face a daily bus trek via Headingley or Leeds city centre in the dark winter nights.

She said: "I'm absolutely gutted. This is my sons' future. They're heartbroken, and when they found out, they were in tears in the playground. We just want all of this to be resolved now."

The boys were sitting Standard Assessment Tests (SATS) tests when they heard their appeal to get into Prince Henry's had been turned down.

The Costellos did not select another local senior school as they believed Bramhope children would be guaranteed a place at Prince Henry's.

Other children have been allocated places at Ralph Thoresby High School, Holt Park, their second choice of school.

But their parents are also unhappy with the decision, and say they want their children to go to Prince Henry's.

The parents have also been supported by Bramhope Primary School governors.

Deputy head of Prince Henry's, John Townsley, said the school has been 'surprised and disappointed' at Education Leeds' appeal decision to grant places to children living considerable distances from Otley.

"We were disappointed that children from what we consider to be our family of schools have not been admitted," he said.Stephen

He and head teacher John Steel met with Education Leeds deputy chief executive, Deborah Hibbard, on Tuesday to discuss the situation.

Mr Townsley said: "The discussions we had were extremely positive in the sense that they were conducted in a very positive manner."

Councillor Clive Fox (Con, Otley and Wharfedale) added: "It's quite unacceptable that any Bramhope child should be required to go to Carr Manor. The problem, essentially, is the artificial admission limit put on by Education Leeds. Historically, Prince Henry's has taken nearly 270 new pupils each year, and it's now down to around 226."

Coun Fox plans to speak to the Education Leeds chief executive, Chris Edwards this week.

An Education Leeds spokeswoman said: "Prince Henry's school is a very popular school and unfortunately more parents wish their children to attend there than there is space available. Applicants are given preference on the basis of brothers or sisters in the school and distance from the school to where they live.

"The nearest school for the Costello family is Ralph Thoresby. The family did not select this as their second choice. Had they done so, they would have been offered a place.

"We have now had to allocate the boys to the nearest school with vacancies, namely Carr Manor in Meanwood."

She added that the appeals process will hear individual cases."