Andrew Turner has welcomed visible improvements in the school appeals procedure on the Island and says that parents are now able to believe that the system is ‘beginning to work’.

The Island’s MP was speaking after one of his constituents Charlotte Ferdyn had contacted him after her son had been refused a place at the school she had listed as her first choice. She explained that she had been contacted by a council officer regarding her appeal and during the conversation was told that there were never any spaces available for children who appealed and the officer was also unable to give any examples of a good enough reason that would win any appeal.

The Isle of Wight Council have subsequently awarded Miss Ferdyn’s son a place at her first choice school and apologised for the way in which the officer handled the contact with her.

Mr Turner said
“For years there has been a perception that appeals procedure for Island school places has been a waste of time, and that has been borne out by the lack of successful appeals. The new administration vowed to end that culture and this example proves that they are now getting to grips with the problem. Choice for parents should be real – not merely lip-service or worthless hoops they are expected to jump through.”
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Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808