WHARFEDALE councillors are warning that new school admission rule proposals could split up siblings.

Currently children with an elder brother or sister already at a school have a priority case for also gaining admission. But Leeds City Council is proposing to change that so priority is given to children with older siblings and for whom it is their nearer school.

The extra condition is designed to address a concern that the existing policy is, in some cases, allowing children who live further away to get into schools ahead of locals because of the family connection. Local councillors, however, fear it would create practical and emotional problems for families.

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: “As a former teacher I know it makes good education sense for siblings to attend the same school. It promotes mutual support, security and, though not a direct educational benefit, it assists parents with managing child care - which promotes well being.”

Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) added: “If the proposal goes through it will cause distress both to parents and children while, given the relatively small numbers involved, making little difference.”

The council has been running a public consultation about the rule change, which ends tomorrow since early December.

But Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) believes few parents are aware of it - and is calling for a two-week extension to the deadline “to enable anyone who may be affected, now or in the future, to comment”.

The local authority’s deputy director of Children’s Services Paul Brennan, however, has now told the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer that the new policy is unlikely to be pursued.

He said: “The proposed changes to sibling priority are part of an annual consultation into our admissions policy.

“Although the consultation is still open, given the feedback we have already received and the strength of feeling about this it is unlikely we would recommend it for approval.

“Each year we are faced with the dilemma that most parents want their child to be able to attend their local school, but parents who have more than one child prefer their children to attend the same school - even if it is not their nearest. This is why need to consult with our citizens to understand how they feel we should prioritise these needs.”

Comments can be made at: leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/School-Admissions-Policy-Con sultation.aspx.