A Midland community has been left "divided" after 12 children were refused entry to a school's reception class despite attending its nursery, angry parents have said.
Affected families claimed they had been kept out of talks about the allocation process at Dunstall Park Primary School in Tamworth. They alleged they had been subjected to "hostility, negative comments and malicious behaviour" after campaigning on behalf of their children.
Concerns Escalated to Trustees
Concerns have now been escalated to the board of trustees at the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, which runs the school, calling for an independent review into the handling of the dispute.
In a complaint shared with BirminghamLive, a parent claimed affected families had been left "confused, distressed and unable to understand" how reception places were allocated. The complaint centres on claims that 12 children currently attending the school's nursery, and who live on the surrounding housing estate, were not offered places for September.
Parents claimed other children living on the same estate, who did not attend the nursery, were offered places. They acknowledged nursery attendance did not automatically guarantee a place, but the families said they had expected a "fair and transparent process" given their existing connection to the school.
Exclusion from Discussions
"Throughout this process affected parents have repeatedly sought engagement with Dunstall Park and The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership," said one parent. "But rather than being invited into meaningful discussions, many families feel they have been excluded from conversations regarding decisions that have a direct impact on their children's education."
Meetings have reportedly taken place involving school leadership, Trust representatives, councillors and other stakeholders. Yet the families affected by these decisions have repeatedly found themselves excluded from those discussions. "This has created a perception that decisions are being discussed about parents rather than with them," the parent added.
Affected parents said the dispute had caused "significant" division in the community, with some claiming they had been subjected to "hostility, negative comments and malicious behaviour" after campaigning for their school places.
Council Response
Staffordshire County Council said the school was built as a one-form entry school with capacity for 210 pupils, equivalent to 30 places in each year group. The school was designed to serve the Dunstall Park housing development, which has around 800 homes.
A council spokesperson said: "As a guide, a development of around 1,000 homes would usually require a new 'one form entry' primary school, providing 210 places plus a nursery. As Dunstall Park is around 800 homes, it was agreed in 2016 that a new one form entry school was still needed, meaning more places have been provided than would normally be planned elsewhere in the county."
"In line with Department for Education guidance, school places are planned across a wider planning area rather than for individual schools alone, and there are currently enough reception places available across the wider planning area to meet local demand." The authority said all children who were unsuccessful in securing a place at Dunstall had been offered options at "either one of their preferred schools or at another local school with spaces available".
Cabinet Member Statement
Janet Higgins, the council's cabinet member for education, said: "I understand how disappointing this is for parents who were hoping to secure a place at Dunstall Park for their child this September, and why there is such strong feeling locally. I know some families will be feeling anxious about what happens next.
"We have followed the county council’s admissions policy and every child has been offered a school place, although I appreciate it may not be their preferred school. I also want to reassure parents there are sufficient places available across Tamworth to meet overall demand.
"The original agreement in 2016 secured a one form entry primary school, with the site designed to allow for future expansion if needed and if funding becomes available. I recognise communication at the planning stage should have been clearer, and that this has contributed to where we are today. Clear and open communication with our communities is something I feel strongly about, and we will continue to prioritise this.
"We will keep working closely with the Academy Trust on place planning and admissions. Any future expansion would depend on capital funding and the necessary Department for Education processes."
Ms Higgins added: "Admissions to Dunstall Park were allocated in line with the school’s published admissions criteria. Parents can appeal any admissions decision via the independent admissions appeal process on the county council’s website."
The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, based in Sutton Coldfield, faced walkouts by teachers and staff earlier this year as it battled being millions of pounds in debt and needing to balance the books. BirminghamLive has contacted the Trust for comment.
