Anger as Telford school catchment area changes are backed

Residents of Muxton, who will be most affected by the changes, say they feel as though their submissions to a consultation on the plans have been ignored.

Following a public consultation, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet is being recommended to make the changes to six schools' catchment areas coming into effect from September 2018.

The council says the changes take into account the growth in population in the borough, particularly in the Newport area.

The changes, which will the council also says will save money have been recommended for approval, would give residents of Lilleshall priority for Lilleshall Primary School, while Muxton Primary School would also have catchment area priority for Muxton residents.

Lawley residents would have a shared catchment with shared attendance area with the Ercall Wood Technology College in Telford and Langley School as both are within three miles.

Burton Borough's catchment area would be redrawn to include Newport and rural villages around the town including Lilleshall.

The newly-built Telford Priory School's catchment area would include Muxton. More than 300 people responded to the consultation. Overall, most people backed the changes for Lilleshall and Muxton primaries and for Lawley residents.

Lesley Galley, of Elmhurst Coppice, is chairman of the newly formed Muxton Action Group.

She is mother to Isabelle, who is in year two at Muxton Primary School, and Christian in year five.

Her eldest is already preparing to move up to secondary school in two years' time.

She said: "In summary we think it is a whitewash.

"It is not possible to have properly reviewed the large volume of data from the end of consultation to when the report was published.

"When they talked of the walking route to Telford Priory School they did not take a point even at the midpoint of Muxton.

"One of our main points was the removal of choice. They state they are not removing choice but they are as we will not be in catchment.

"It means those of us who have maximised their mortgage capability to move to Muxton many years ago, and cannot afford to move, will now play a lottery with our children education, able to put Burton Borough School on the forms but having no idea if that choice will be sanctioned.

"They clearly have not considered feedback.

"Not even the decency to invite us to a meeting to discuss our concerns, fully bearing in mind how evident it has been the strength of our feeling."

The elford & Wrekin Ccouncil's cabinet will be asked to consider a number of measures to address concerns expressed by these residents when it meets on Thursday (FEB 23).