New hopes for Sutton parents concerned about school places (From Surrey Comet)

New hopes for Sutton parents concerned about school places

2:30pm Monday 8th February 2010

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School governors were told to reconsider a rule change which will leave 15 children without places.

An admissions forum meeting this morning recommended governors at Cheam Park Farm Junior School reconsider an admissions rule change which means 90 places will be available in September instead of 105.

Around 30 parents protested outside the council's Civic Offices ahead of the meeting. Last week, around 100 parents met Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow and Conservative parliamentary candidate Philippa Stroud to discuss the issue.

Chair of governors Jackie Saddington told parents a legal technicality and an adjudicator’s decision would prevent the governors from reversing their decision.

However legal advice gained by Philippa Stroud and Paul Burstow has proven otherwise.

In a joint statement they said: “There is now no legal reason why Cheam Park Farm Juniors cannot admit all 105 pupils and it is wrong for the governing body to hide behind a technicality that does not exist.

“There are 105 seven year olds who thought that transition to the junior school was a big enough step without this. We appeal for common sense to prevail and the 105 intake to be reinstated.”

A statement from Cheam Park Farm 105 campaigners: “We were overwhelmed by the offers of support from the parents; we are going to continue our fight to get all 105 children into Cheam Park Farm Junior School, and would like to thank all those parents who attended our meeting.”

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