A FOUR-year-old girl in Bradford faces uncertainty over which school she will attend in September after not being awarded a place at a Catholic primary school in Clayton.

Mother Jennifer Hardy was devastated when her daughter Philippa, 4, was not awarded a reception place at St Anthony's Catholic Primary School, on Bradford Road, Clayton, in September.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Philippa, 4, with her mum Jennifer HardyPhilippa, 4, with her mum Jennifer Hardy

Although Philippa has attended nursery at St Anthony's since September 2021, she was instead given a place at Clayton St John C of E Primary School.

"When we got the devastating news she did not get a place at school, we immediately appealed," said Mrs Hardy.

"At the time of the school application she was not baptised Catholic but she is now Catholic (having been baptised on June 12) and was received into St Anthony's by Father Simon Winn at the church.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Philippa Hardy, 4, who lost an appeal to attend reception at St Anthony's Catholic Primary SchoolPhilippa Hardy, 4, who lost an appeal to attend reception at St Anthony's Catholic Primary School

"Sadly we lost our appeal on the grounds the class is full with 30 children," said Mrs Hardy. "They had 31 children in 2017 and 2019 reception classes.

She also said: "The reception class currently only has 15 Catholic children who will attend in September and 15 children from other categories."

Mrs Hardy, whose family is Catholic including two other children who attended the school, says St Anthony's was the only school she put on her application.

Although Philippa was awarded a place at Clayton St John C of E, Mrs Hardy did not accept it due to the school being rated Inadequate at its 2017 Ofsted inspection. In March 2022, the school's Ofsted rating was upgraded to Requires Improvement.

"I am concerned that schools are closing and I still have not got an appropriate school placement for my daughter.

"I have had regular contact with the school and been informed my daughter is on the waiting list.

"I am a nursing sister in Bradford's accident and emergency department and I rely heavily on my parents, who are in their 70s, to take my daughter to and from school. They live 0.2 miles away from St Anthony's.

"I feel nobody cares about my daughter's education," said Mrs Hardy. "I am trying every avenue to obtain a place in good education for my daughter and getting nowhere."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: St- Anthony's Catholic Primary SchoolSt- Anthony's Catholic Primary School

A spokesperson for the Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust said: "The school has followed the Trust's admissions policy. There were a significant number of applicants for the 30 places available.

"Unfortunately, Philippa wasn't allocated a place based on the admissions criteria.

"The Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust has a number of other schools in which we have places available.

"I am arranging a meeting with Philippa's parents to discuss the opportunity for Phillipa to secure a place in one of these schools should it be their wish.

"Please be assured we will do all we can to provide a place for Philippa."

 

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