Questions on school places

Mar 15 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LOCAL school admissions will be the subject of questions at the next meeting of Kirklees Council.

Government announcements have revealed that some schools failed to allocate places fairly.

Schools were accused of asking parents unacceptable questions about family backgrounds and even, in a few cases, asking for financial contributions to ensure their child was given a place.

Now Liberal Democrat group leader Clr Kath Pinnock has vowed to get the matter debated in Kirklees.

She said: “I am asking questions on this issue at the next Council meeting on March 19 because I want to make sure that the dodgy practices uncovered in the government report are not happening here.

“Parents and children need to know for certain that a place at a particular school is allocated openly and fairly.

“It is scandalous that some schools in the country have been charging parents for places.

“It means that poorer families do not get a fair deal.

“Parents in Kirklees need to know for certain that the way places are allocated for their children is above board”.

The question has been submitted by Clr Pinnock to Clr Jim Dodds who has responsibility for children on the Council’s Tory Cabinet.

It asks for assurances that local admissions policies are fair.