Parents have raised concerns about proposed changes to school admission zones in Ingleby Barwick.
As part of a borough-wide review Stockton Council is proposing to make several changes on the estate including introducing a new Zone B catchment zone.
But around 50 parents packed into a meeting at Barleyfields School to raise concerns that the changes would leave them without their preferred choice of schools.
Mum Ruth Cross said: “We moved to Sober Hall in July. Even though I’m in walking distance to the majority of schools on the estate I have to travel to Eaglescliffe everyday to take my daughter to primary school. There are not enough primary school places and they are building more houses!”
James Wharton, Conservative MP for Stockton South, said he had been contacted by “a number of worried parents” and urged residents to “make their views known”. He said: “The impact on these areas could be huge. Schools admissions impact on the choices children have and can influence house prices.”
Louise Baldock, Labour candidate for Stockton South who was at the public meeting, said: “No changes should be considered until borough-wide school boundary reviews take place in a couple of years time. There must be equality in the system.”
But Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton Council’s Cabinet member for children and young People, said: “It is not accurate to say that ‘The Rings Estate and parts of the Broomhill area of Ingleby Barwick.. are without a catchment area’. Under the proposals these areas would be within zone for Ingleby Manor Free School and St Patrick’s. They would also remain in the zone for Egglescliffe School and therefore would be allocated a place before applicants who live outside of the zone.”
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