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Search forBristol parents step up campaign for school places
Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 22:09
A delegation from the Long Ashton Schools Crisis Group (LASCG) made a plea to councillors at a meeting of the authority this week to ensure there are places for children at Birdwell and Northleaze Primary Schools when they start class next year.
Last year, 23 local children failed to get a primary school place in Long Ashton, with many of the unlucky four-year olds having to take a bus to class in other villages.
This year, some estimates are looking more drastic with the village schools being oversubscribed by as many as 45 children by September 2009.
Campaigners claim transporting the 45 children to schools elsewhere could cost the authority as much as £85,000 per year.
Parents have been lobbying education chiefs on the issue and earlier this year, handed over a 1,200 name petition to the authority, pressing it to resolve the problem.
North Somerset Council education leaders have pledged to find a solution and are investigating the possibility of installing temporary classrooms at Birdwell Primary.
But they say they cannot guarantee the measures being in place by the start of the new school year next September.
In his speech to councillors, LASCG spokesman Guy Kingston spoke about what may happen to children who are forced to catch a bus to class in other villages if the school spaces crisis is not solved.
The LASCG is encouraging every parent of a pre-school child to register at its site www.lascg.org.uk so they can find out what they can do to help their children.
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