Pupils win back high school places

Date published: 17 September 2009

Six Healey Primary School pupils have won back their places at Haslingden High School in Rossendale after the school took them away over the summer.

The high school performed a dramatic U-turn, denying the six Healey children their places at the school, even though they had already been confirmed.

Parents of the pupils received telephone calls in June confirming their places at Haslingden High. They attended an induction day with their children, as well as a parents evening, and received letters confirming the date they were due to start school and an information pack.

Parents received a letter later in the summer from Lancashire County Council saying that the pupils' places at Haslingden were no longer available because the school had 'acted illegally in making offers'. The parents appealed against the decision but this was turned down.

They contacted Rochdale MP Paul Rowen and the matter was resolved following a meeting with Lancashire County Council's Director of Education.

Mr Rowen MP said: “Given the competition for school places and the stress this causes for parents, the actions of the high school and County Council in relation to these pupils was unacceptable.

"I am pleased that the months of hard work by these pupil’s caring parents in conjunction with my staff have finally paid off.

"I hope that the pupils enjoy their time at Haslingden High and go on to great things.”