Mum raises concerns over Winsford Academy school places

Emily Gillett says more needs to be done to ensure Winsford children are allocated a place at the high school in their own town, and is concerned the situation is ‘only going to get worse’ as more houses are built and the population grows.

Her daughter’s appeal to gain a place at Winsford Academy was unsuccessful.

Winsford town councillor John Malam, who has been supporting Emily and her daughter, said he was 'profoundly disappointed' at the appeal board's decision.

The year six pupil has instead been offered a place at Rudheath Senior Academy – but her mum says this would involve her getting two buses.

Although Emily and her daughter live just outside Winsford Academy’s catchment area, Emily’s work commitments mean her daughter currently walks to and from school from her grandparents’ house, which is within the catchment area.

In her appeal, Emily said this would continue when her daughter moved up to year seven.

Emily added: “She goes to Winsford High Street Primary School and all her close friends have been successful in getting into Winsford Academy.

“She’s feeling quite low at the moment. She doesn’t know anyone who will be going to the other school and I am worried about her mental health.

“I feel like the appeal was just a process to go through, it was just a formality."

Emily’s daughter is now on the waitlist for Middlewich High School, as this is easier for her to get to than Rudheath, but her mum is still worried about how going to a school outside of Winsford will impact her.

And it’s not just her own daughter Emily is worried about.

“This is going to happen each year,” she said.

“They are building more houses and there will be a lot of children in Winsford who can’t go to the local high school.

“They said the academy would be sufficient but it’s not and it’s only going to get worse – what are they going to do?

“Where are they putting all these children? It’s children who are suffering at the end of the day.”

Cllr John Malam, Winsford Town Council, Gravel Ward (Independent) is concerned that Winsford children are being turned away from Winsford Academy

Cllr Malam attended the appeal hearing in support of Emily and said her argument for her daughter gaining a Winsford Academy place was 'most compelling'.

He said: "The chair of the appeal panel explained how the panel was mindful of whatever decision they reached 'not being prejudicial to [Winsford Academy] by admitting more children'.

"I questioned this statement, and from the chair’s response it was clear that further admissions could – theoretically – 'prejudice' the education of those children already offered places. 

"Ms Gillett’s appeal seems to have been rejected purely on the grounds of geography – or 'catchment' as the authority puts it.

"She lives 1.840 miles from the academy, and on that ‘as the crow flies’ distance, isn’t it the school that is being 'prejudicial', in favour of those children living closer? 

"Near to where Ms Gillett lives, several hundred new houses are being built.

"Families are moving to these houses from Winsford and also coming in from outside the area – last week I met a family from St Helens coming to live here.

"Are we now to expect Winsford Academy to reject children from this development because of 'catchment'?

"Ultimately, Winsford parents whose children are educated at Winsford primary schools have every reason to expect that their children's high school education continues here in Winsford, if that is what they wish.

"It was – and still is – Ms Gillett’s wish that her daughter be offered a place at Winsford Academy for September: it was her first choice school, and her only choice school. These are also the wishes of her daughter.

"I urge Winsford Academy to review the decision and be more understanding of a parent’s wishes, and their child's, and their personal circumstances. Look at the person, not the map."

Gary Evans, Winsford Academy principal, said: "The Winsford Academy and The Fallibroome Trust have agreed to expand the school's admission number by 30 to 240 for this year's year sevens, as well as all future years.

“This was agreed in response to the growing number of places requested by parents but also recognises the capacity of the building which was confirmed by an independent assessment carried out in 2021.

“Parents of children who were not allocated a place at the school were encouraged to appeal.

“Ten parents did so, and four children were allocated a place as a result of successful appeals.

“The appeals are heard by an independent appeals panel."