Lib Dem Council Leader's proposal to protect school places for Sutton children

12.00.00am GMT Thu 19th Mar 2009

Sutton's Liberal Democrat Council Leader, Cllr Sean Brennan, has written to governors at Nonsuch and Wallington High Schools for Girls offering alternatives to the proposed changes to their admission policies which would secure more places for Sutton pupils, and more in line with current levels.

Cllr Brennan told both schools that the Council's Admissions Team had found strong evidence that there would be significant reductions in the number of Sutton students taken by each school if the planned changes are made.

Based on the 2009 intake this would mean a reduction of nearly 8% for Wallington High School to just 43% of students coming from Sutton, and a substantial drop of 18% for Nonsuch High School to only a third accepted from within the Borough.

In expressing his concern at the implications of the schools' proposals, Cllr Brennan said:

"We should not be reducing still further the opportunities Sutton pupils have to go to Sutton schools".

He also stressed the need to work with all the Borough's schools on this issue: "Our grammar schools contribute strongly to the partnership of Sutton schools and it would be a great pity if the proposed changes were introduced as this would place even more pressure for places on Sutton's community schools".

Note: Both Wallington and Nonsuch High Schools for Girls are foundation schools and as such are ultimately responsible for setting their own admission arrangements, as long as they are within the law and within Government guidelines.

Both schools have consulted the Local Authority which is currently considering its formal response.