I FEEL it necessary both to express my sympathy with "Worried Parent" (Your Letters, Mar 24) and to comment on some apparent misconceptions. The writer seems to indicate that the council is engaged in "social engineering"; were this the case the criticism would be merited, but this is not so.

The council's policy for transfer to high schools has had to take account of changes in the law in the admissions process for 1999 and 2000.

Under the new rules parents have to express a clear preference for up to three schools. Where the first preference is in the catchment area in which the parents live, the request for a place can usually be met. When the first preference is outside the catchment area, it is not always possible to offer a place as requested.

Guidance on this transfer procedure makes it quite clear that all preferences may not be able to be met and that a consequence of not expressing a preference for the catchment area school, is that places still available may be at schools some distance away from the family home. Following checks made with the education service, I have been informed that further offers of places in line with parental preference will be made shortly under the "topping-up" procedure. These are places that other parents have turned down.

After this has been done, appeals will be considered by independent appeals panels. I am also advised that if the education service discovers that false information about addresses has been given, then offers of places would be withdrawn.

I do realise that this is a worrying time for parents and pupils transferring to high school, and would reiterate the fact that the council policy has had to take account of changes in the law.

I hope that my comments will answer some of the points raised and that "Worried Parent" will secure a place under the current procedure.

COUNCILLOR ANDREA HUGHES,

school standards spokeswoman.

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