news story

8th June 2009

Siblings Forced to Attend Different Schools

Steve Webb outside Trinity School in Acton Turville with local parents & children

Local MP Steve Webb is supporting parents who are being forced to send their children to different schools under South Gloucestershire's admission rules.  Parents in Acton Turville have launched a petition to change the system so that brothers and sisters are able to go to the same school.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

"Under the present rule, only families living within two miles of a school get extra priority for having children already there. There are some families who have no children at the school at the moment but because they live slightly nearer, have been awarded places, including parents who do not live in South Gloucestershire.

"I am aware of between 20 and 25 cases of siblings being split up in South Gloucestershire, including some in Yate but the problem is particularly acute in rural areas.  Schools become much more for parents than just somewhere they drop their children off and this is breaking a much deeper bond.

"I have tried in previous years to get the rules changed but I am not going to let this rest. I intend to make a case to get this rule changed so all siblings are given priority."