Not enough space to take every child (From Gazette Series)

Not enough space to take every child

CHARFIELD Primary School cannot take all the children in the village, it was revealed this week.

"We do have a list of 30 places and they are full," said a spokesman for the school. "Any more applications will have to go to appeal.

"We are aware of a couple of families that have moved to the village recently who have not got in. Unfortunately this is one of the effects of dropping the intake to 30."

The Gazette reported last October how by South Gloucestershire Council had reduced the number of new pupils admitted each year to the school by 25 percent.

Despite objections from parents, governors and parish councillors the Independent Schools Adjudicator, which had to be brought in to resolve the conflict, sided with the council reducing the intake number from 40 to 30.

One angry villager, who did not wish to be named, said this week: "This is a ridiculous situation. It is a village school and should cater for all the village."

However, Sarah Hudspith, spokesman for South Gloucestershire Council, said nothing had been decided and places were still being allocated for this year's intake.

She said: "We are part way through the process of allocating places for applicants in 2006 and parents had until the end of yesterday to let us know whether they wish their child to take up a place. If any parent is unhappy with the outcome they have the right to appeal to an independent admission appeal panel.

"The admission number for Charfield Primary School was set at 30 for September 2006 and this was approved by an independent schools adjudicator."