Date: 2nd June 2004
Released by: ANDREW TURNER

150 Island children failed to get into their first choice of school this year, according to figures uncovered by Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP, 62 of the disappointed pupils being applicants to Sandown High School alone. The figures highlight an increasing problem faced by parents on the Island.

Appeals in three middle schools (Ventnor, Sandham and Lake) are up 400% since 2001/2. The three schools are likely to be challenged by frustrated parents. Islandwide, appeals increased 10 fold from 2000/1 to 2002/3, soaring from 9 per year to over 100, and this figure looks set to rise in future.

Mr Turner is a member of the House of Commons Education and Skills Select Committee which is currently reviewing school admission policy. He said:

‘Nationally, far too few parents get their children into the school of their first choice – the reason is simply that there is a shortage of schools which command the confidence of parents.

‘And with Island families unable to get the school place they want, it comes as a surprise that some schools are operating below admission targets set by the Department of Education and Skills. Recently Lake, Sandham and Ventnor middle schools, with the agreement of the IW Council, announced cuts in admissions, complaining that Government targets are “unrealistic”.

‘Doubtless the Council will point to the percentage of successful applicants. But the disappointment of every child turned away from the school of their choice is 100 per cent.’