PARENTS fighting to get their children into secondary schools of their choice have received the backing of Burnley MP Peter Pike.

He says parents are right to appeal if they are unsatisfied with the school chosen for them by the county council.

And the head teacher of Burnley's most oversubscribed high school says he agrees with the Labour MP's call for increased capacity at popular schools.

Education officials will next month hear appeals from 83 families who were given schools they did not want.

Mr Pike told the Citizen: "Clearly, where the offer of a place is not considered acceptable, parents can and must appeal.

"I have arranged to meet the county council to discuss Burnley high school places on May 23."

Quizzing a junior education minister in the House of Commons, he said: "Because schools do not have elastic walls, it is not possible for all children to go to the school of their choice.

"Does the minister accept, however, that often parents are disappointed if they cannot send their children to a school that is one of their first three preferences, given that all three preferences are reasonable?

"Will she support local authorities that must provide additional capacity to meet the demands of such parents?"

Stephen Ball, the head teacher of Ivy Bank - oversubscribed by 66 - told the Citizen: "I agree with that. In essence, our concern is with individual children and parents. Uncertainty causes them a great deal of anxiety and serious distress. Pupils should be coming to school in August feeling positive about their future education."

But David Clayton, head teacher at another oversubscribed school, Habergham, said: "The county council lacks the financial resources to implement such a policy."

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