Parents and children to learn school places fate

MUMS AND DADS WILL DISCOVER IF LITTLE ONES HAVE GOT PRIMARY OF THEIR CHOICE

PARENTS across Greater Manchester find out where their child has been offered a primary school place this week.

Today is National Offer Day when councils notify parents where their four-year-old has been allocated a school place.

Some parents may already have been notified via email or by logging onto their council’s website.

The majority of mums and dads, however, will find out today.

Applications across all boroughs in Greater Manchester are expected to have been at an all -time high as councils battle a shortage of school places.

It can be an stressful time for parents – especially for those who aren’t offered places at one of their preferred school.

Union bosses warn a national shortage of school places is causing misery for some families who face long journeys to school or have to taxi siblings to separate schools.

Kevin Courtney, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “We are facing the worst shortage of school places for decades. It is resulting in overcrowded classrooms, often in makeshift buildings that are squeezing out space for playgrounds, for art rooms or music spaces.

“All children should have the right to go to a local school and to be taught by qualified teachers. Government policies are standing in the way of both of these fundamental rights.

“Local councils have had pupil place planning powers removed from them. They can’t open new schools; they can’t direct academies to expand. They don’t have sufficient capital funding to help other schools expand.”

Parents can appeal the decision if they think the decisions is unfair.

But parents must meet the appeal deadline and include any evidence they think will support their case.

Local authorities should include instructions on how to do this in their offer letter or email.

Or people can download an appeal form from their council’s website.

All local authorities and schools say appeals should be submitted as soon as possible.

Details of the deadline will be included on the offer letter or email.