Nonsuch rule change gives 7 out of 10 school places to out of town children

3.09.00pm GMT Sun 15th Feb 2009

Plans by Nonsuch High School for Girls to change the school selects pupils would see the number of local children securing places at the Grammar school fall from 51% to just 29% of places according to figures obtained by Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow.

The figures were supplied to the Liberal Democrat MP by Sutton Council. The figures use draw on information about the applications made to Nonsuch and Wallington High Schools in 2008. The analysis undertaken by the Education Department reveals that had Nonsuch already applied its proposed rule change the number of Sutton children securing a place would have fallen to 29% of the places.

Not only would the change exclude many local girls from Nonsuch it would also put pressure on many of the boroughs other popular high schools.

Commenting Paul Burstow MP said:

"Our local grammar schools are highly valued institutions. But when more than 7 out 10 of the children attending Nonsuch are not local many of my constituents will feel the school has turned its back on the area that has supported it through the years.

"I know from my own mailbag how strong many parents feel about this rule change. The governors at Nonsuch need to take stock of what residents are telling them and think again."

ENDS