Mum makes final bid for son's school place (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Mum makes final bid for son's school place

A BLOCKLEY mum is launching a last-ditch attempt to win a place for her son in the village school.

The local education authority has told Lesley Toms, aged 30, that four-year-old Jay will have to go to Ebrington School because there is not enough room at Blockley Primary.

Lesley said she would fight the decision, which she says came about because forms were not sent to her Summerfield Close home on time.

"I didn't receive a letter in the first place because it was sent to the wrong address, we moved house in July. It's not just me - there are other parents in the village with the same problem." She added that sending her son to Ebrington School would make her life impossible because she didn't have her own transport.

Laura Bowdler, spokeswoman for Gloucestershire County Council's education authority, said Blockley Primary had 20 places available for next term, which had all been filled.

"The application was received after the deadline of June 31, which is why it was originally refused. We have offered the child a place at an alternative school and recently sent the parent an appeal pack in order for her to appeal against the decision."

Linda Jeffcutt, head teacher at Blockley, said she was aware of the problem and was doing everything she could to support the parents involved. "We understand that the families have now been advised to move forward through a formal appeal process. Like the families involved we would like to know as quickly as possible whether the children are joining our school so that we can begin to plan class groups for September. I have every confidence that the local education authority admissions team will make the right decision."