Chairman: Meriel Connor Clerk: Janet Potter 18 May 1998 Mrs A Newton Headteacher Bridge and Patrixbourne School Conyngham Lane Bridge Canterbury Kent Dear Mrs Newton As a result of the report from Mrs Ann McKeever at the Annual Parish Meeting on 30 April, Councillors are concerned that some children living in Bridge may not be able to gain entry to the school. Mrs McKeeVer reported that due to the school being oversubscribed and the application of the admissions criteria some families who wanted their children educated at the school were being denied that opportunity. There has been some discussion between the school and the Parish Council on a previous occasion where it was indicated that all children in Bridge who wanted to attend the school could do so, unless their parents missed the closing date for applications. Perhaps you could clarify whether this is still the position or whether you have to turn away Bridge children. If the latter is the case would you suggest ways in which the Parish Council could assist the school to meet the demand for places from the children of Bridge residents. Yours sincerely J Potter (Mrs) Parish Clerk Please reply to: The Clerk, 50 Riverside Close, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent CT4 STN: Phone/F ax: 01227 832219 E3FH[)(§E[ EHRUDCHEékI¥¥FRlXIHD[HRhHE(lELP.S(H1CH)L C0nynghan1Lane,Bfidge (Ianterbury,E(ent,CTF4~5J)( Tbk(01227)830276 Fax:(01227)830649 6‘ v Headmistress: Mrs A. Newton, MA DipSMEMS 21st May 1998 Mrs J Potter Clerk to the Parish Council 50 Riverside Close Bridge Canterbury CT4 5TN Dear Mrs Potter Thank you for your letter of 18th May and the Parish Councillors concerns regarding admission to Bridge & Patrixbourne C.E.P. School. Mrs McKeever was absolutely correct in her report to you that the School is oversubscribed and that we are having to deny Bridge children admission to the School for September 1998. We have also had to turn away children who have moved or would have moved into the village during this academic year. I was most surprised by your second paragraph "There has been some discussion between the school and the Parish Council on a previous occasion where it was indicated that all children in Bridge who wanted to attend the school could do so, unless their parents missed the closing date for applications", as this has not been the case since Open Enrolment was introduced in the Education Reform Act of 1988. As with all L.E.A. maintained schools we have by law to abide with the admissions criteria namely:— Parental choice Denominational Siblings (at time of entry) Social and Health Geographical (nearness of child's home and access to school) Kent 1 Countgi 1 A KENT PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL Counc1 EDUCATION U‘|ah(J0!\J|-‘ As a School we should be delighted if you would express your concerns to the L.E.A. and perhaps together we can persuade them of our urgent need for a permanent extension to our buildings. I hope this has clarified the situation for you. Yours sincerely Headmistress cc Mrs G Goodman Chairman of Governors Mrs A McKeever Vice Chairman of Governors Mrs A Osborne District school's Officer Chairman: Meriel Connor Clerk: Janet Potter 14 June 1998 Mrs A Newton MA DipSMEMS Headteacher Bridge and Patrixbourne School Conyngham Lane Bridge Canterbury Kent Dear Mrs Newton Thank you for your letter of 21 May confirming that children living in Bridge are being denied access to the school because it is over subscribed. The Parish Council has asked me to write to Julian Brazier MP and Cllr Martin Vye to express its concern at this situation and to point out to them the transport implications. Councillors would like to ensure that all children living in the Village have the opportunity to be educated at the Village school. Yours sincerely J Potter (Mrs) Parish Clerk Please reply to: The Clerk, 50 Riverside Close, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent CT4 STN: PhOI1€:’F3XI 01227 832219 Chairman: Meriel Connor Clerk: Janet Potter 15 June 1998 Councillor M Vye The Dacha Patrixbourne Road Bridge Dear Cllr Vye The Parish Council has asked me to write to you about the admissions criteria for LEA maintained schools which denies admission to pupils living in the village to Bridge and Patrixbourne School. Mrs Newton has confirmed to the Council that the school is oversubscribed and that some children living in Bridge will be denied admission to the school in September 98. Additionally children who have moved or would have moved into the village during the current academic year have also been turned away. The Parish Council is very concerned at this situation, as Councillors would like all children living in the village to have the opportunity to attend the school here if their parents choose the school. Children who cannot gain entry to the village school have to be transported to schools outside of the village and thus contribute to the traffic congestion and pollution which this generates. The Parish Council would like your advice on how it can ensure that all children living in the village, whose parents wish them to attend Bridge and Patrixbourne School, are able to do so and would also urge your support in this matter. Yours sincerely J Potter (Mrs) Clerk ‘lease reply to: The Clerk, 50 Riverside Close, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent CT4 5TN: PhonefF ax: 01227 832219 My Kent??? O Q Eg1131I{11Ct1y1£Kt~J CITY COUNCIL BARHAM DOWNS WARD CANTERBURY SOUTH DIVISION Councillor Martin Vye, The Dacha, Patrixbourne Road, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent CT4 SBL Telephone: 01227-830983 <%[‘*?[%€:€ ~ 336-93 roe: QLut,t.t‘«';t.,<‘ctr* <::e<.:§”é 9» ire‘ UILQ iZ’