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Majority of school place appeals rejected
THE pressure on space in Camden’s primary schools has meant that 84 per cent of parents’ appeals for places failed last year.
Out of 31 appeals lodged in primary schools, only five were successful. Thirty-eight cases were rejected in reception classes. Appeals are set against class size, maintaining one qualified teacher per 30 pupils.
NUT officer for Camden schools Andrew Baisley said that many parents overlook their nearest school in favour of schools in more privileged areas.
He said: “Some schools are taking a disproportionate number of pupils from poor and needy backgrounds who are expensive to educate. In Hampstead and the leafy boroughs of Camden there’s lots of rich people. Schools with pupils who are privileged and without the needy children obviously start from a much more favourable place so will inevitably do better.”
Conservative councillor Andrew Mennear, in charge of education, said the council already funds schools based on the number of children qualifying for free
school meals. |
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