Otley MP raises concerns over Horsforth School admissions (From Wharfedale Observer)

Otley MP raises concerns over Horsforth School admissions

10:00am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in Local news

An MP is asking a top performing school to consider the consequences of a proposed change in its admissions policy.

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland has written to Horsforth School raising concerns about the plan, which would give priority to children living in LS18.

Currently children are admitted on the basis of how close they live to the over-subscribed school after siblings, children in care and those with special needs have been allocated places.

But families living in Cookridge are concerned the new criteria would make it more difficult for their children to attend the school.

The governors have suggested the change in a bid to ensure Horsforth children are not turned away because places are taken by children from other areas. The school, which became an academy last year, is inviting opinions on the change in a consultation which finishes on Thursday, January 31.

Mr Mulholland said he had received letters and emails expressing concerns about the proposal.

“I have therefore written to the school to raise these concerns and asking them to consider the consequences of any such changes,” he said.

“The decision is particularly worrying for those who live close to the school, but not in the LS18 area of Leeds, as this means that those living near Horsforth station, but on the Cookridge side, would not be eligible despite the close proximity to Horsforth and the school, which is very arbitrary under these changes.”