Stockton Council extends its consultation on proposed school admission arrangements

A council has extended its consultation on proposed school admission arrangements after parents raised concerns.

Consultation on the proposals – for community, voluntary controlled primary and secondary schools in Stockton – was due to end on February 13.

But the council has extended the closing date to February 28 and organised a further four public meetings for parents and carers in the Egglescliffe School zone.

Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We have said from the outset that we are very keen to hear from as many parents and carers as possible and are happy to hold additional public meetings as required to allow greater opportunity for people to have their say.

“We have had a lot of interest in these proposals and a number of parents and carers have asked that we hold additional meetings. We have listened and we have agreed to this as well as to extend the consultation period for as long we possibly can under national guidance, which takes us to February 28.

“We have also arranged four more public meetings in addition to the two already held. Copies of the consultation document will be available at the meetings as well as paper copies of the consultation survey for people to fill in and express their views on the proposals. And of course, the survey can still be completed online.

“I would reiterate that all views expressed during the consultation will be carefully considered and fully taken into account before any decision is taken.”

James Wharton MP has welcomed Stockton Council’s announcement that the consultation on Egglescliffe School’s admission zone will be extended and four additional public meetings have been agreed.

He said: “Many residents, particularly in Ingleby Barwick who would be badly affected, did not know the public meetings were taking place. By extending the consultation period and arranging new meetings the council gives us hope they might also be willing to listen.

“We need as many people as possible to take part and voice their concerns so that the council can be made to see sense, this proposal is not right and needs to be changed.”

The additional public meetings are for parents and carers living in the Egglescliffe School zone.

The meeting for Ingleby Barwick parents and carers will take on Thursday, February 5, from 5.30pm to 7pm at All Saints CE Academy in Blair Avenue.

The public meetings for parents and carers from Eaglescliffe and the Western Parish villages of Carlton, Elton, Long Newton and Redmarshall will take place as follows:

· Monday, February 9, from 5.30pm to 7pm at Egglescliffe School, Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe

· Wednesday, February 11, from 5.30pm to 7pm at the Wilson Centre, Darlington Road, Long Newton

· Thursday, February 12, from 5.30pm to 7pm at The Links Primary School, Carnoustie Drive, Eaglescliffe

The proposed school admissions arrangements have been drawn-up following a Scrutiny Review by the Council’s Children and Young People Select Committee.

To view the consultation report in full, or to download a consultation survey, visit: http://bit.ly/1DdTCY6

Views and comments on the consultation document can also be fed back in writing to School Admissions, Stockton Borough Council, Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1XE, or by email to school.admissions@stockton.gov.uk