Leeds Council announce 60 new places at Leeds school as solution to 'shortage' - this is how to apply

On Wednesday, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported how a group of 50 parents in Leeds were left furious after their children were allocated schools 'more than an hour bus ride away'.Wayne Dixon is spearheading a group of parents from South Leeds who have been left in disarray after discovering around 30 children would need to travel for over an hour each morning on public transport to reach their given school.

The schools allocated are in Seacroft and Halton Moor areas - a journey which Wayne said could take up to an hour to reach plus a 15 minute walk for the 11 and 12 year old pupils.

Wayne said many of the children had never walked to primary school alone, or had "ever even stepped foot" in Seacroft or Halton Moor.

Wayne added: "This time of year should be an exciting time of year where children leaving Primary Schools look to their future and a new era in their lives, but for many it’s become a nightmare."

A Leeds City Council spokesman told the Yorkshire Evening Post on Wednesday the council were doing "everything it can to bring about solutions" despite the "significant ongoing financial challenges and increasing demand for school places".

Now, the council have released a statement confirming 60 extra places have been made available at Cockburn School with their support.

Parents and carers who have been disappointed with their school offer have until March 16 to send in their requests to be on the waiting list for schools.

Places will begin to be offered at schools where there are now vacancies, including these additional places, from March 23, the council confirmed.

A joint statement from Cllr Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council and David Gurney, Executive Headteacher of Cockburn School, said: “We would firstly like to thank families across south Leeds for their patience and understanding whilst we have worked to find a solution to the shortage of local school places.

“Cockburn School has joined local councillors and the council to work closely together to find ways to address the shortfall of places in the area due to the delays in opening the new free school.

“We are delighted to be able to announce that Cockburn School will provide an extra 60 places, with support from the council.

“Parents and carers who have been disappointed with their school offer have until 16th March to send in their requests to be on the waiting list for schools, and places will begin to be offered at schools where there are now vacancies, including these additional places, from 23rd March.

"It is therefore vital that you ensure you have registered to be on the waiting lists of all schools you want your child to attend.”

Cllr Blake added: “We would like to thank Cockburn School for agreeing to provide these extra places and so help find a solution for these local children and their families.”

David Gurney added: “When recently approached by Leeds City Council, and on hearing the concerns from our local community, we have moved swiftly to realise a way to ensure that more children in the south can be part of the Cockburn community.”