CHILDREN left heartbroken after missing out on places at a popular Uttoxeter school have been granted a reprieve after an emotional meeting.
After a behind-closed-doors meeting on Friday with parents of children refused a place at Tynsel Parkes First School, Staffordshire County Council has now offered 15 places to children on the waiting list.
The news has come as a great relief to parents who originally failed after appealing the decision as well as launching a widescale protest campaign to get their children a place alongside their siblings at the School Road school.
The meeting was attended by the authority’s cabinet member for schools Liz Staples, council leader Philip Atkins and Uttoxeter MP Andrew Griffiths.
Councillor Atkins said after the dramatic turnaround: “There has been a unique situation at Tynsel Parkes, and having listened to parents and the community, we have come to this agreement to help meet local needs.
“The county council does not manage schools — schools manage schools.
“This agreement simply allows the governors of Tynsel Parkes to pay for another class teacher in September.
“We will continue to work with Uttoxeter schools to resolve any admissions issues in the town, particularly about siblings attending the same schools. This is the long-term solution, and the county council will help review admissions.”
Helen Irving, of Weaver Road, whose son Harry can now attend the school alongside older sister Holly, said: “I am shellshocked.
This is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for and it was not one we were anticipating.
“We have not only got the solution we wanted for the children this year but we know the schools are going to work together locally to come to a long term solution so hopefully this problem will never arise again.
“Harry is a boy of few words but he is beaming from ear to ear.
“Everybody is transformed as they have been in a horrible place for the last few months and the weight has now been lifted.
“I would like the thank everybody who signed the petition as I am sure that the weight of public support has played a big part in this.”
Sally Lynch, of New Road, said: “Were ecstatic our children can continue in the care and love we have grown to appreciate at the school.”
Emma Smith, of Stafford Road, said: “We are really pleased they changed their minds at the last minute. My only concern is that I am going to have this fight again next year.”
Head teacher Theresa Walters said: “We are delighted we will now be able to welcome these children to our school in September.”
Uttoxeter MP Andrew Griffiths who had been backing the parents, said: “I think that the council was really reasonable and listened to the concerns of the parents.
“It was a very emotional meeting and the parents were clearly passionate about their children’s education.
“I am really pleased I was able to play a part in helping 15 children have a happy school life in the school their parents want them to attend.
“This was the first constituency case I had to deal with as the parents came to my first surgery.
“There were tears of frustration at the start of the meeting and when Philip Atkins announced the news, there were tears of happiness.”
