A group of parents has criticised admissions procedures after failing to win places for their children at the primary schools of their choice.

Four sets of parents have complained about the selection system in the Bingley area.

All are unhappy about being allocated places at Trinity All Saints Primary School in Church Street.

For the first time this year, parents whose children start school in September were asked to nominate three "equally-favoured" primary schools.

School admissions bosses at Education Bradford are then required to follow Government guidelines when allocating places.

College lecturer David Ayris, 36, of Plevna Terrace, Bingley, wanted his daughter Olivia, four, to attend Priestthorpe Primary where she has attended nursery. The school is about 300 yards away from the family's home.

Olivia has a heart condition which has seen her undergo two major operations and she tires easily.

However, Mr Ayris said he was stunned to discover she had been given a place at Trinity All Saints, which is about a mile away, despite also naming Eldwick and Myrtle Park primary schools on the admissions form.

He said: "Priestthorpe is our nearest school. Olivia has made friends there. She is due to have a third major operation this summer and then will have to start at a totally new school.

"I was livid when I found out that she would not be going to the school that she has been attending for 18 months."

Claire McGhee, of Park Road, Bingley, nominated Myrtle Park, Eldwick and East Morton schools as choices for her four-year-old son Harry.

She said: "I feel left out of it. We have not had any choice at all. I think it's quite appalling."

Suzi Vincent, of Hallbank Drive, Bingley, selected Myrtle Park, Eldwick and Priestthorpe for her son Alfie, four. She said: "This has made parental choice a nonsense."

And Kate Bristow, of Manor Fold, Cottingley, mum of four-year-old Charlotte, named Myrtle Park, Eldwick and Crossflatts schools.

She said: "What is the point of selecting three schools if you don't get any of them?"

A Bradford Council spokesman said all four children had been allocated to the "nearest available school for them".

The spokesman added: "All of the schools they selected have been filled with children who live a lot closer to them.

An Education Bradford spokesman said: "Where a school is oversubscribed and the admissions criteria comes into play, some unsuccessful applicants are allocated another school that has places available."

The spokesman added that the parents of Olivia Ayris had not mentioned her medical condition on the selection form.

Jane Glendinning, who was appointed head teacher at Trinity All Saints Primary in April last year, said: "We are very proud of our school and welcome everyone to come and see for themselves the exciting opportunities we offer."

All four parents intend to appeal.

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