Touting the cheats

Oct 21 2010 Buckinghamshire Examiner

THE overruling by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator of an objection about Dr Challoner's admission policy raises some interesting issues.

When children living within their local school's catchment area are missing out on places because parents from as far afield as Harrow are attempting to work the system, by renting a property in Amersham to ensure their child obtains a place at the prestigious grammar school, something is amiss.

Of course all parents want the best education for their children, but surely not at the expense of those who live in the area permanently and legitimately. Catchment areas are there for a reason, to ensure local children attend their local schools.

The Examiner is pleased the objection was rejected, but more needs to be done. The school and the local authority need to work more closely together to ensure any loopholes are closed and pupils from the catchment area do not miss out in future to those whose parents are trying to cheat the system.