ROCKED by the row earlier this year over children not getting places in secondary schools nearest their homes, education chiefs in Blackburn and Darwen are to review the admissions policy and asks parents to say which system they prefer.

Hitherto, many parents opting for the nearest secondary have found their choice denied by places being filled by children from further afield, given priority on social or medical grounds or because they already had siblings attending the school.

Now, "geography" may have more influence - if that is what parents want.

It is important that all take part in this consultation, not just those with children coming up to leaving primary school.

For it is futile for them to complain about parental choice being ignored if they ignore the opportunity to play their part in choosing the whole admissions policy.

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