Anger after Fenland village school children refused place at local secondary
Parents and their children have been left angered and dismayed after failing to secure a place at their local secondary school.
Around 35 children from Upwell and Outwell are facing an hour long journey at the start and end of the school day as they travel nearly 25 miles to attend the Iceni Academy in Methwold from September.
The pupils from the two village schools and their parents had anticipated being offered places at Downham Market Academy - the school where children from Upwell and Outwell normally go after leaving primary education.
There was a massive outpouring of anger on social media when the decision letters arrived this week with many parents left dismayed and unsure how their children are to get to school each day and fears over how they will cope if an emergency crops up and a child needs picking up early.
Among those planning to appeal the decision is Holly Brooks whose 11-year-old daughter Gracie is facing the trek to Methwold come September. Holly's comments mirror those made by dozens of disgruntled parents on social media.
Holly said Gracie, who is currently at Beaupré School in Outwell, is a sensitive child and suffers from anxiety and has been left upset at failing to secure a place at the Downham Market school, which Norfolk County Council said is over-subscribed.
She said: "We have done lots of preparation for Gracie getting her used to the idea of going to Downham Market, we visited the school and have been talking about it for months. Then we receive this letter and out of the blue she is being told she must go to Methwold.
"The Iceni Academy wasn't even on our radar, we've never heard of it, let alone considered it an option. There is the Thomas Clarkson in Wisbech and Marshland High School - both of which are much closer but we have not been given them as an option."
Holly who has two younger children at primary school in Outwell said: "I'm not sure how she is supposed to even get to Methwold. From what I understand there is a bus that goes from Downham Market, but it seems we might have to get Gracie to Downham to catch it. It is ridiculous when the bus to the Downham school goes from the end of our road.
"We have been told the bus journey to Methwold will take about an hour each way because the bus will have to make stops. That is just adding to the school day. I'm lucky I have a car so if something happens, for instance if Gracie is taken ill during the day then I can go and pick her up but for parents without a car that is not an option.
"I think it is unfair our children are being forced to attend a school no-one has heard of, and when you look it up it has a bad Ofsted report.
"Why are there not enough places? They should have seen this coming and invested more."
Holly added: "I am going to appeal the decision but with at least 35 other children in the same boat I can't see it being successful."
A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council said: “More than 96% of children in Norfolk were offered a place at one of their three preference schools this year, despite an increase in applications. Unfortunately, Downham Market Academy and Marshland High School, which are in Norfolk, are both over-subscribed. We have also checked with Cambridgeshire County Council in relation to availability at Thomas Clarkson Academy and that too is over-subscribed. The Iceni Academy in Methwold is the closest school with available spaces.
“Where an alternative school has been offered, subject to transport policy, children will be entitled to free transport provided by the council. This is mentioned in the decision letter that the parents will have received.
"In co-ordinating admission applications we follows national guideline to ensure that our admissions process is fair and clear. Parents do have a right to appeal against any refused admission and their children are automatically added to the waiting lists of their preferred school, in case a place becomes available."
