Lynne was recently contacted by a number of local residents experiencing trouble with their child’s primary school place. A number of children seem to have been allocated no school place at all, which has understandably caused a great deal of worry for the parents concerned.
It’s crucially important that these problems are sorted out urgently. Lynne has written to the Chief Executive of Haringey Council expressing her concerns, and you can find a copy of the letter which Lynne has sent below. Lynne will be sure to keep residents updated on the situation.
Letter from Lynne to Haringey Council Chief Executive, Kevin Crompton:
Dear Kevin,
RE: Primary School Places 2012
I am writing with regards to the recent allocation of primary school places to children who are due to begin their education in the 2012/13 academic year.
I have been contacted by a large number of parents, and have been informed that many children have been offered places which are simply not practical. Of greater concern are the number of children (particularly in the Muswell Hill area) who have not been offered any school place at all. Many of these parents live in very close proximity (in some cases, less than 0.1 miles) to a number of primary schools, such as Muswell Hill Primary, Tetherdown, Rhodes and Coldfall.
I will of course be making enquiries on behalf of individual children and parents through the members’ enquiry system. There are, however, more general concerns and queries which I would like to raise with you.
I am keen to know exactly how many children who applied for a primary school place for the 2012/13 academic year have not been offered a place. I would also like to know how many have been offered a place that wasn’t in their ‘top 6’ choices. On confirmation of these figures, I would be grateful if you could let me know what the Council will do to ensure that these children will be given a place by the time term starts.
I would also be grateful if you could outline the policy used this year when allocating school places. For instance, were the places determined by distance to the school, or other criteria?
I would be most grateful if you could address the specific points that have been raised. Thank you for your kind attention in this regard and I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Lynne
Lynne Featherstone 
Hi,
I just want to tell u that this is not only the problem of your area, but i think so that it is more worse in the Birmingham area. I think we need nationwise compaign and we will support you from Birmingham.
Our primary schools are surely the most sexist institutions around, when is Lynne going to highlight what goes on in them and the consequences for society?
Quite simple this one matey
In the 70’s, where you lived, you went to school.
Extra numbers meant another class and another teacher in the school.
Then, under your Tory party, Thatcher decimated education. Schools got worse in poorer areas and the school’s boundaries commission was scrapped.
Super Heads were appointed in more affluent areas, demand increased and supply diminished.
The rich moved in, house prices increased.
Fast forward to 2012- the rich move into a nice big property in Musey Hill, get their kids in Tetherdown and the catchment decreases to 0.09miles.
Free market economics, chief- its what your party’s all about.
Feel a bit silly mate?
Doh!
This is becoming ridiculous. How is it going to be next year then if they don’t build new school, or increase the number of entry.
Is the catchment for Tetherdown really 0.09 miles this year?
The plans for the development of St. Lukes Hospital site in Woodside Avenue include provision for many new flats and houses. When I visited the exhibition last week I was informed that about 40-50 of those houses are intended for youngish families with children of school age. What effect will that have on Tetherdown and Fortismere? Some investigation neede here I think.