Braintree: Mother criticises school places process (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Braintree: Mother criticises school places process

9:40am Wednesday 11th March 2009

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A mother has criticised the secondary school admissions process as being “totally unfair” after her daughter missed out on all of her choices.

Lesley Townsend of Nichols Grove, Braintree, said the options form for secondary education was “misleading” following Ruby’s offer of a place at Alec Hunter Humanities College in Stubbs Lane, Braintree - a school they did not include as one of their choices.

Parents found out on March 3 where their children would be taught from September, but not all are satisfied.

Ruby, 11, was not allocated any of the three schools she would have preferred - Notley High School in Notley Road, Braintree, Tabor Science College in Panfield Lane, Braintree, and Honeywood Community Science School, Coggeshall.

Last year The Times reported on families who were left frustrated, angered and confused after their children were not given places at their local schools.

Alec Hunter is Ruby’s nearest school and Miss Townsend is happy for her daughter to attend, but she said it was not her choice.

The 52-year-old, who has one child, said: “It gives people false hopes thinking they are going to get the school they want.”

She added: “It ruins people’s lives. Children get upset. Parents get disappointed.”

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