PARENTS are up in arms over high school admissions which will force their children to make a daily 12-mile round trip.

Astley and Tyldesley families weren't happy when their the local education authority offered children in Westleigh.

They say there are not enough places in the right locations.

And the local authority admits there has been a placement problem for a while which they are trying to resolve with a major rebuilding programme.

Julie Roscoe, Parkfield Drive, Tyldesley, whose eldest daughter Sarah Jayne, 10, goes to Garrett Hall County Primary in Tyldesley claims the admission criteria is crazy.

"Why can't Tyldesley children go to Tyldesley schools, Atherton people go to Atherton schools and Leigh people got to Leigh schools?

"When filling in the application form we opted for Freddie's as first choice, St Mary's second and Bedford third.

"Sarah Jayne was offered a place at Westleigh. I appealed and they offered Bedford.

"I have not accepted the offer.

"I thought it was courteous to fill in all the choices in order of preference. But I've discovered those who simply put Fred Longworth on the application, and no second or third choices, got their wish!" She claimed Fred Longworth admission priorities, in order of preference, are: children from Boothstown and Mosley Common, brothers and sisters and finally in order of preference, children who live in Leigh, Atherton and finally Tyldesley.

Another to be allocated a place at Westleigh was Rhonda Knowles' son Sean who wanted to go to Fred Longworth ahead of St Mary's and Bedford.

Sean, of Fieldhead Avenue, Astley, was the only one of 26 who plumped for the Tyldesley School out of a St Stephen's class of 37 (seven opted for Bedford and three for St Mary's) who didn't get his choice.

Sean didn't get his second or third either.

After an appeal Sean was found a place at Bedford which has been accepted.

His mum said: "The criteria is unfair. Sean excels at sciences and Fred Longworth has the best facilities."

And Julie Hinchliffe, of Humber Road, Astley is disheartened that her 11 year old daughter Katie didn't get in at Freddie's.

Disappointed Julie said: "She'll say goodbye to her friends at the end of June and then that's it.

"Katie was the only girl, along with three boys, from Tyldesley St George's Central who wanted to go to Fred Longworth but didn't get in.

"How could they do that? We appealed but lost.

"Katie has accepted it. She says she isn't bothered and I know she will soon make new friends. Still, it doesn't seem right."

A Council spokesman said: "We recognise the concern of parents who failed to gain admission for their children at a chosen school.

"It would be improper however to comment in detail on individual appeals.

"The popularity of certain schools leads to them being oversubscribed and causes a significant increase in the number of appeals.

"In recognition of that the Council has successfully bid for funding to invest in high schools in that area which has allowed an increase in the admission limit of those schools."

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