Pupils who live near a Leeds school could be refused a place, a Leeds MP has warned.
Horsforth School is reviewing its admission policy to give priority places for students living in an LS18 postcode.
There are fears the new policy could see prospective pupils living in Cookridge and Hawksworth, whose nearest school is Horsforth School, struggle to get places.
The review is to ensure that children living in Horsforth will not be turned away from the over-subscribed school, which officially became an academy last year.
But Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, who covers Cookridge, has expressed his concerns.
He said: “I have received a number of letters and emails expressing concerns about Horsforth School’s decision to make changes to their catchment area, to only include the LS18 postcode.
“I have therefore written to the school to raise these concerns and asking them to consider the consequences of any such changes.
“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.
“As a result students could find themselves separated from friendship groups formed at their current schools, but also denied the opportunity to attend to what is widely considered to be one of the top academically performing schools in the Leeds area.”
Headteacher Keith Bothamley told the YEP: “We’re not trying to manipulate who comes to the school and there are no attempts at social engineering.”
He said that the school currently receives between 500 and 600 applications from prospective parents asking for places for their children every year.
He added: “The only reason for considering this is to try and ensure children living in Horsforth have priority access to their community school.
“In recent years each year there have been students who live in Horsforth who haven’t got a place here.”
Comments