COUNTY councillors have agreed not to change the rules on admissions to Pendle high schools, despite increasing competition for places.

Members of the county council's community services sub-committee agreed no change should be made next year, but said further discussions with governors at Park High School, Colne, to look at its admission arrangements should go ahead.

A major consultation with governors, parents and primary schools across Pendle was launched in the summer after education chiefs put forward proposed changes to admissions policy. But many schools said the move would simply move the problem from one area to another.

Pendle faces an annual "heartbreak high" situation with parents fighting to get their children into the school of their choice.

Six of the seven high schools in the borough are either full or over-subscribed each year while Edge End in Nelson can only fill half its available places. Burnley faces a similar situation.

The consultation was called after parents in Laneshawbridge and Trawden found they could not get their children into Park, the nearest school.

Instead they were given places at the other end of the borough.

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