WORRIED parents are asking residents to respond to plans for a new admissions policy at Great Sankey High School, which they feel would ‘seriously disadvantage’ their children.

And councillors and the Diocese of Liverpool have suggested they would appeal to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator if the 'unfair' new admissions policy is not scrapped.

Many St Philip’s Primary pupils traditionally go on to study at Great Sankey High but the school is now proposing to give preferential treatment to pupils at Barrow Hall, Burtonwood, Callands, Chapelford, Park Road and Westbrook Old Hall primary schools as they seek to join the high school’s academy trust.

St Philip’s is a faith school, meaning that if it chose to join a MAT the process would not be as straightforward.

One parent at the school said: “It’s a bit unfair. We wanted to keep our kids with the local kids they have grown up with.

“People around here were prepared for their children to go to Great Sankey High and then this came along.”

Another mum added: “We just want the same rights for all children. If you have children how would you feel in this situation?

“Why should children be penalised? This may mean that our children have to just be slotted in wherever there is space.  The world is becoming more dangerous for children and the plans could mean that our children have to travel miles for their education.”

Great Sankey High is hoping to increase the number of pupils it accepts per year from 315 to 375 and believes there will be enough space for pupils from schools outside of the trust.

But in consultation documents it admits that some schools may be ‘disadvantaged’ by the proposals.

Great Sankey High executive head teacher, Jon Wright, said: “It is important to state that we remain open to further discussion and are in dialogue with a number of parties.

“We believe there is a need for all parties to work together to find a better long-term solution for local people within West Warrington with regards to high school capacity.

“We are all aware that several local primary schools are expanding and there is much new housing planned locally, which will further exacerbate pressure on secondary school places.

“We are keen to work collaboratively with other schools to ensure adequate and appropriate secondary provision.  We cannot simply keep increasing our roll.

“In short, whilst we do not have to do anything at this time as a school, we are committed to try to find the best outcome for the majority of local people sooner rather than later.”

Councillors Rebecca Knowles and Steve Parish, for Chapelford and Old Hall ward which includes St Philip's, said: “The local authority has to be consulted on these proposals and having considered the detail of the consultation document and the useful guidance on this in the newly released annual report of the Office of the Schools Adjudicator, it is our view that the proposals would be judged unreasonable under the Admissions Code.”

The consultation ends on Tuesday and to have your say visit greatsankey.org/consultation. The governing body is expected to make a decision on February 7.

Read more: Parents consulted over plans for primary schools to team up with Great Sankey High academy trust