MORE than 20 angry parents packed into a classroom to protest about their

children being unable to attend the school of their choice.

A group of parents in the Newlaithes area of Horsforth are angry that six

children have been told that they cannot attend their first choice of either Horsforth School because it is too full. Instead they will have to attend West Leeds High School in Armley, which is six miles away via two bus rides.

They recently organised a meeting at Newlaithes Junior School in Victoria Crescent and have pledged to raise a petition and protest about the decision. They want the criteria for school admissions changing and are claiming that children from outside the area are getting some of the places.

Angry parent Maureen Hancox, of Victoria Crescent said that her 11-year-old daughter Sarah had been turned down for a place at Horsforth and is demanding the right to send her youngsters to the local school. She said: "I am very angry that Sarah can't get a place and she is very upset that she will lose touch with all her friends. We've also been turned down for Benton Park School. I have been told that the cut-off point for admissions to Horsforth School is a 1.5km radius, but we are 1.54km away."

All the parents at the meeting said that they will be appealing against the

decisions because they fear for their children's safety while travelling to Armley.

They also claim that about half the new intake at Horsforth School are siblings of existing pupils who may come from outside the area.

City councillor and Horsforth School governor Chris Townsley, who attended the meeting, said: "I feel for these people. Some of them were quite tearful, the kids have grown up with their friends and now they are going to high school and they won't have their friends around. I am angry that our local school is having to turn local people away. West Leeds may only be two miles away as the crow flies, but these youngsters aren't crows and will have to catch a bus into Leeds and then out again when they should be facing a short walk from their doorstep."

Chairman of Governors at Horsforth School, John Brodwell, said: "As governors we regard Horsforth School as a community school and it is of serious concern to us if local children cannot attend it.

"However, we have a commitment to the siblings of pupils who already attend it. The policy is not decided by the school and we have no control over the admission of children. We propose to discuss it at our next meeting with a representative from the schools admissions unit."

A spokesman for Education Leeds said: "We recognise the difficulties at Newlaithes. They may feel part of the Horsforth area even though they could be allocated schools in West Leeds."