Appendix C
peter
School
Catchment Areas Public Consultation 2014
Conducted by the Corporate Research Team, Borough of Poole, on behalf
of Children, Young People and Learning Services
1.
Purpose of the Report
This report presents the feedback from the Review of School Catchment Areas Public
Consultation. The consultation ran from 28 April to 13 June 2014.
2.
Key Findings
 203 people responded to the consultation.
 49% of respondents support the Council’s proposal to remove catchment areas and
51% do not support the proposal.
 The highest responses came from people living in Baden Powell / Courthill and Lilliput
School catchment areas (93 people) followed by Broadstone catchment areas (30
people).
 Opinions vary by catchment area.
3.
Survey Respondents
The School Catchment Areas Public Consultation took place from 28 April to 13 June
2014. The consultation document, supporting reports and feedback form were available
online at www.boroughofpoole.com/catchmentreview. Public meetings were held where
there was an opportunity to find out about the proposal and ask questions of Officers.
Leaflets promoting the consultation and public meetings were mailed to those on the
Family Information Services database and distributed directly to Parents via school bags,
via Early Years providers, Children’s centres and Doctors surgeries. The consultation
was also promoted through press releases, email newsletters and on social media. Full
details of the supporting communications are in Appendix A.
4.
Survey responses
4.1 Respondent type
A total of 203 responses were received to the consultation through the online e-form and
paper forms. In addition, 6 written responses were sent to Children, Young People and
Learning Services. To give context for the response rate, there are 16,684 households
with at least one dependent child in Poole1.
The majority of respondents were parents (84%), as shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Response by Respondent Type
Respondent Type
Frequency
Parent/carer of a child/children aged under 5
64
Parent/carer of a child/children aged 5-16
62
Parent/carer of a child/children aged 0-16
44
Poole resident (with no children)
27
School staff member / Governor
4
Other
2
Total
203
1
%
31.5
30.5
22
13
2
1
100
Source: 2011 Census. Dependent children are aged 0-15, or 0-18 if in full time education.
1
Appendix C
4.2 Responses by Catchment Area
The majority of responses were from people living in Baden-Powell and St Peter's CE
Junior School catchment (including Courthill Infant and Lilliput CE VC Infant School
catchments) (93 people), followed by Broadstone Middle School catchment inclusive of
the Shared Area with Allenbourn Middle School (40 people) as Table 2 and 3 show
below. A few responses (less than 5) were received from people living outside of Poole.
Table 2: Responses by School Catchment Areas
First, Infant and Primary School Catchment
Frequency
%
Courthill Infant School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Broadstone First School
Merley First School
Hillbourne School
Stanley Green Infant Academy
Sylvan Infant School
Springdale First School and Broadstone First School
(Shared Area)
Bishop Aldhelm’s Church of England VA Primary
School
Ad Astra Infant School
Manorside Primary School
Springdale First School
Canford Heath Infant School
Heatherlands Primary School
Old Town Infant School and Nursery
Longfleet CE VC Primary School
Talbot Primary School
Twin Sails Infant School and Nursery
Turlin Moor Community School
Outside of Poole
Total
52
40
18
10
9
9
8
26
20
9
5
4
4
4
7
3
7
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
1
6
203
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
3
100
Table 3: Responses by Junior and Middle School Catchment Area
Junior and Middle School Catchment
Baden-Powell And St Peter's CE Junior School
Broadstone Middle School
Oakdale Junior School
Broadstone Middle School and Allenborne Middle
School (Shared Area)
Branksome Heath Junior School
Haymoor Junior School
Canford Heath Junior School
Hamworthy Park Junior School
No middle / junior school catchment
Total
2
Frequency
93
30
13
%
46
15
6.5
10
5
8
5
4
3
37
203
4
2.5
2
1
18
100
Appendix C
4.2 Views on the Proposal
49% of respondents support the Council’s proposal to remove catchment areas and
replace them with a system to offer school places based on distance and 51% do not
support the proposal.
Table 4: Do you support the Council’s proposal (Option 1) to remove catchment areas
and replace them with a system to offer school places based on distance
Response
Yes
No
Total
Frequency
100
103
203
%
49
51
100
Of those 103 people who do not support the Council’s proposal, 87% preferred ‘no
change’, 9% preferred ‘a different option’ and 4% did not answer.
Table 5: If no, which option is preferred
Response
No change
Different Option
No answer
Total
Frequency
90
9
4
103
%
87
9
4
100
4.3 Analysis by respondent type
Table 6 below shows views on the proposal by respondent type, which are fairly similar to
the overall results. Slightly more residents do not support the proposal than those that do,
however the biggest variation in response is by school catchment area, as Section 4.4
below shows.
Table 6: Analysis by respondent type
No
Respondent Type
Parent 0-16
Parent 5 to16
Parent Under 5
Poole Resident (with no children)
Other
Total
Yes
Freq
%
Freq
%
20
33
32
16
2
103
45%
53%
50%
59%
33%
51%
24
29
32
11
4
100
55%
47%
50%
41%
67%
49%
Total
44
62
64
27
6
203
4.4 Analysis by catchment area
This section summarises the results by catchment area that had the largest number of
responses.
Most respondents living in Broadstone First School, Springdale First School or the
shared area between both do not support the proposal (80% do not support the
proposal and 20% support the proposal in these catchment areas). Of the 30
respondents, 90% are parents of children aged 0-16.
The majority of respondents from Lilliput CE VC Infant School catchment area do not
support the proposal (85%). Of the 40 respondents, 40% have children aged 0 to 5, 15%
3
Appendix C
have children aged 0 to 15 and 30% have children aged 5 to 16.
residents.
13% are Poole
The results for those living in Courthill Infant School catchment area are mixed (54%
support the proposal and 46% do not support the proposal). Of the 52 respondents in
this area, 89% are parents (39% with children aged under 5, 27% with children aged 0-16
and 23% with children aged 5-16), 11% are Poole residents with no children.
Analysis of comments
The section summarises the reasons respondents gave for supporting and for not
supporting the proposal.
4.5 Reasons for supporting the proposal
92 people explained why they support the Council’s proposal to remove catchment areas.
The main reasons are because it is fairer or makes sense, the current system does not
work and that children should attend their nearest school / walk to school, as shown in
Table 7 below. The full anonymised comments are included in Table B1 in Appendix B.
Table 7: Main reasons for supporting the proposal
Reason
Fairer
Current system does not work
Makes sense
Child should attend nearest school / walk to school
Other
Total
I was initially worried that you would replace this
with a lottery system. However, as long as
distance from school is a key component in
getting a place, I agree with the proposal.
My child goes to Longfleet
which is not in its own
catchment and I always thought
this was ridiculous.
Distances seem to make more
sense than arbitrary lines on
maps, which can never allow for
any changes in population and
school intakes year on year.
This means I can walk [them] to
school, reduce car journeys,
emissions and congestion at school
gates.
I feel the current system is unfair and
doesn’t make sense.
Frequency
29
20
16
10
25
100
Children should be
able to go to their
nearest school.
The catchment areas are out of date
and often children within a catchment
area are unsuccessful in securing a
school place at their first preference,
catchment school.
I believe the only people who benefit from
catchment areas are Estate Agents who hike
up the value of properties in certain catchment
areas even though there is no guarantee of
getting your child a place.
We have fallen foul of the catchment criteria with
one of our children previously and it can be a very
stressful experience when you don’t get your child
into your ‘catchment school’.
4
This would make the system fairer and
easier to understand.
Appendix C
4.6 Reasons for preferring no change
88 people explained why they prefer no change. The main reasons are because they
moved into a catchment area so that their child could attend a particular school, property
prices will be affected and it will/may change the school their child will attend. The main
reasons are shown in Table 8 below. The full anonymised comments are included in
Table B2 in Appendix B.
Table 8: Main reasons for not supporting the proposal
Code
Moved into catchment
Property prices
Oversubscription still an issue
Will change school
Unfair
Faith criteria
Siblings
Uncertainty
Road safety
Stress
Sandbanks issue
Increase school places
Too much change.
Walk to school
Would affect properties on catchment boundaries
Other
Under the proposed new system there is a
strong element of chance as the applicants
in a certain area (closest to a school) may
change from one year to the next.
Too much is happening at once,
the system has worked for years
and works successfully in other
locations and should be left
alone. People purchase houses
in a specific area and this
change could cause a lot of bad
feeling and devalue properties.
I solely purchased our family home and paid a
premium on the basis it was in Lillput Catchment
and had been for many years. If this is changed
we will have to move from the family home we
planned to stay in for years to come
The proposed system will penalise
people who have already paid a
premium for their properties, and it
will also have a negative impact on
property prices in certain areas
potentially leading to property
owners being in significant negative
equity
I would worry that the new scheme
would mean our [child] ended up at
[school], defeating the purpose of our
house purchase.
Frequency
26
22
11
9
7
6
6
5
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
11
We are deeply unhappy with this proposal as the
decision to move to our current property was based
entirely on school catchment. Indeed, we feel we paid
a premium to be within Courthill and Baden Powell
school catchments and these changes would not only
adversely affect our [child's] education but also the
property price of our house.
If one's nearest school was over subscribed then one
could find one's child still having to attend a school
that was not the nearest safe walking distance, over
subscription would remain a problem.
I am concerned you would not get a place at the
school you wish your child to go to
5
Appendix C
4.7 Responses for a Different Option
When asked if they would prefer an alternative option 9 people responded and from this
group the following alternatives were proposed:
Proposed alternative option
Create new catchment areas
Change catchments only for schools not in their own catchments
Remove catchments in 5 years time
No alternative provided
Frequency
2
2
2
3
The comments are provided in Appendix in Table B3.
4.8 Other Written Submissions
Six written submissions were received by Children, Young People and Learning Services.
The comments are provided in the Appendix in Table B4.
The Review of School Catchment Areas Public Consultation was analysed by the
Corporate Research Team, Borough of Poole on behalf of Children, Young People and
Learning Services. For further information please contact Corporate Research on (01202)
633354 or visit our website at www.boroughofpoole.com/research.
6
Appendix C
Appendix A - Communications Support
The consultation document, supporting reports and feedback form were available on-line
at www.boroughofpoole.com/catchmentreview. Public meetings were held where there
was an opportunity to find out about the proposal and ask questions of Local Authority
Officers. :
Date
14th May 2014
15th May 2014
20th May 2014
22nd May 2014
3rd June 2014
Time
7pm
7pm
7pm
7pm
10am & 7pm
Venue
Poole High School, Wimborne Road, Poole
Magna Academy, Ashdown Close, Canford Heath
St Aldhelm’s Academy, Herbert Avenue, Poole
The Junction Leisure Centre, Broadstone
Civic Centre, Poole
Leaflets promoting the consultation and public meetings were distributed as follows:




22,000 leaflets to parents via schools. Schools were also sent posters and some
copies of the consultation document.
5000 leaflets to parents via the Family Information Services database and Early Years
providers (childminders, playgroups, nurseries, preschools, toddler clubs)
Posters and leaflets available at all Children’s centres
Posters and leaflets at Doctors surgeries
Leaflets were also sent to Councillors and the local MP, Dioceses, Trade unions,
Neighbouring local authorities, Chair of Parents Voice, PoPPs, Poole Admissions Forum,
Poole Special Needs Forum, St Mark’s VA School, LEAF Trust, The Bourne Academy,
Lytchett Minster School and Aspirations Academies Trust.
The consultation was also promoted through press releases, email newsletters and on
social media, including:
 Article in the Spring Issue of Poole News
 Articles in the Echo and on their website on 9th April, 16th April and third article
reminding of public meetings.
 Public notice in Echo re: public meetings on Thursday 8th May – also on website
 News item on Borough website, Twitter feed and facebook page
 News item on family Information Directory and FIS twitter feed
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Appendix C
Appendix B – Comments
Table B1: 92 people explained why they support the Council’s proposal. The responses are sorted by codes, and then catchment area.
Main
Reasons
Academy
Comment
Infant and Primary Catchment
We attend Stanley Green Infant Academy. So they have their
own statements.
Stanley Green Infant Academy
Junior and Middle Schools
Catchment
Oakdale Junior School
Child should
attend nearest
school
Child should
attend nearest
school
Children should go to their local school - there shouldn't be a
choice
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle School
I think that a lot of people who live nearest to the school should
have a priority as personally I have moved to my area to be
close to the school that my 2 year old will start in sept 2016. This
means I can walk her to school, reducing car journeys ,
emissions and congestion at school gates.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Child should
attend nearest
school
To give children who live closest to school priority- eg my
catchment school is futher than local school. The closest school
would also be first choice.
Heatherlands Primary School
Child should
attend nearest
school
Children should be able to go to their nearest school - they can
then walk there rather than be driven there which will be better
for their health and be better for the environment as it will reduce
congestion on the roads.
Merley First School
Broadstone Middle School and
Allenborne Middle School
(Shared Area)
Child should
attend nearest
school
Child should
attend nearest
school
Child should
attend nearest
school
I believe children should attend their nearest primary school
Merley First School
Broadstone Middle School and
Allenborne Middle School
(Shared Area)
A child should be able to attend the school closest to where they
live.
Outside of Poole
So children can go to their nearest school from home
Stanley Green Infant Academy
8
Oakdale Junior School
Appendix C
Child walk to
school
Children wherever possible should be given the opportunity to
walk to school closest to their homes, and I therefore in full
support of the Council's Option 1. This is clearly both the most
sustainable and common sense option, which would help to
alleviate some of the congestion issues associated with edge-ofcatchment pupils having to be driven to school.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Further, the existing catchments also do not always makes
sense with some areas that are close to schools not included
within a logical school catchment, where areas that are further
away are.
Child walk to
school
I think it is an excellent idea which will reduce the need for
children to be driven to school thereby helping the enviroment.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Child walk to
school
Child walk to
school
health reasons - more children can walk to school
Springdale First School
Broadstone Middle School
My family and I live on Jolliffe rd and we are opposite Longfleet
school, however we are out of it's catchment area, as is the
school it's self! I would have to drive to my catchment school but
this would be very difficult as my road is the drop centre for
Longfleet school. This does not make sense, surely we should
be encouraging people to walk to school?
Stanley Green Infant Academy
Oakdale Junior School
Child walk to
school
I was initially worried that you would replace this with a lottery
system. However, as long as distance from school is a key
component in getting a place, I agree with the proposal. It seems
ridiculous that some parents have to travel by car to take their
children to primary school - they should be able to walk them
there cutting traffic congestion and making the school more part
of the community.
Children & parents will benefit from a new option
Sylvan Infant School
Branksome Heath Junior
School
I walked to my local Primary School as a child so it makes sense
to do this which will help ease the traffic congestion crossing the
borough every morning and afternoon.
Ad Astra Infant School
Children and
parents will
benefit
Congestion
9
Longfleet CE VC Primary
School
Haymoor Junior School
Appendix C
Current
system does
not work
I have never agreed with catchment areas, it causes people to
become postcode snobs and house prices to become more
expensive based on it being in the catchment area for a certain
school which no child is guaranteed to get into anyway. It gives
everyone a more varied choice of schooling.
Bishop Aldhelm’s Church of
England VA Primary School
Current
system does
not work
My youngest child was given or catchment school which is
further away than the closest school. It takes us over half an
hour to walk there, as I don't drive. where as the closest school
is just ten minutes down the road. This is just because we live
on the wrong side of the road.
Because school catchments are based on outdated areas and
do not update with changes in demographics.
Canford Heath Infant School
Canford Heath Junior School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Catchment areas are not really of any worth any more due to the
number of changes over the years.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Current catchments are not always logical with regards to
proximity to schools.
Allocating a school place based on safest, shortest walking
distance will help with traffic congestion.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Live in Courthill school catchment area yet due to distance from
school both children have been unsuccessful in getting a place.
Also live less than 1 mile from Lilliput school but have again
been unsuccessful in getting a place due to being just outside
catchment area.
The catchment school for my children was not my closest school
as the school moved years before but not reflected in a change
of catchment. I also work in a school that is not in its own
catchment, if you want to encourage people to walk to school or
cycle or scoot then it would be much easier if it is your closest
school in distance.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Current
system does
not work
Current
system does
not work
Current
system does
not work
Current
system does
not work
Current
system does
not work
10
Appendix C
Current
system does
not work
The current catchment areas are out of date and often children
within a catchment area are unsuccessful in securing a school
place at their first preference, catchment school. If places are
allocated by distance rule it would mean that local children
attend local schools. This would mean more children could walk
to school and communities would be brought together.
It seems nonsensical when looking at the Borough of Poole
website to see your closest school and then a different, further
away, catchment school! If catchments were to stay they would
need significantly altering to come more in line with distance to
the nearest school.
Courthill Infant School
Current
system does
not work
im not convinced on the option proposal as i think some children
will end up in better schools than others as people will move to
live nearest the school. One of my closest schools i DO NOT
want my youngest to attend! and hope to get her into one a
teeny bit further away, so therefore option one isnt to my
liking.However i dont believe the catchment areas are working
either. its time to change.
We are in the process of having to change a child due to over
population and not being allocated the same school for a sibling
due to start September 2014.
Hillbourne School
Schools should be at the heart of the community and therefore
located centrally for all of their pupils. It does not seem fair that
historic catchment areas, most of which we all agree are now
not relavent in terms of population characteristics, should be
used to determine which places are allocated for oversubscribed
schools. Currently it is possible that a family living within a short
distance from a local school, may be forced to enrol their child
into a school further away from their community due to the way
the defunct system works.
As a school governor I feel the current system does not work as
it should.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Current
system does
not work
Current
system does
not work
Current
system does
not work
11
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Hillbourne School
Manorside Primary School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Appendix C
Current
system does
not work
Current
system does
not work
Current
system does
not work
catchment schools may not always be the closest to your home
Manorside Primary School
Because some people who live a very short walk from school
have to travel a long way to another school because of the
catchment system.
I have a 9 month old baby at the moment so the changes will
take effect for him when he enters primary school. We are
currently outside of Bearwood Primary School catchment area
by one road which I feel is unjust given we live in Bearwood.
Outside of Poole
Current
system does
not work
Current
system does
not work
my children go to Longfleet which is not in its own catchment
area and I always thought this was ridiculous
Stanley Green Infant Academy
Oakdale Junior School
My son attends his closest school but it was not his catchment
school. The catchment school would have made travelling to
school and work a lot more difficult and would have involved car
travel adding to traffic conjestion and less exercise for us both.
We feel more part of the local community going to the same
school as close friends and neighbours.
The catchment areas feel increasingly irrelevant, I agree that
distance from school makes a better selection criteria.
Stanley Green Infant Academy
Oakdale Junior School
Stanley Green Infant Academy
Oakdale Junior School
We were unable to get our eldest child into the school that is
closest to our house due to the school being oversubscribed and
being just outside the catchment area
Sylvan Infant School
Branksome Heath Junior
School
Current
system does
not work
Current catchments not working. Only issue would be will
siblings be a priority as at Twin Sails parents with one child have
been refused places in reception, also with all the new builds
going up will they get priority? . All Schools should be made to
raise their standards so they are all equal.
Twin Sails Infant School and
Nursery
Hamworthy Park Junior School
Currently
would not
attend nearest
school
My husband does not drive for medical reasons so would have
to collect our daughter on Foot when she starts school. Our
closest school is Springdale which would be a 1 st. choice
anyway as all my family attended this school including myself,
and it is even closer to her main carer and grandparents. It is
currently unfair that we would have to go to Hillbourne which is
further away and out of our local community.
Hillbourne School
Current
system does
not work
Current
system does
not work
12
Outside of Poole
Appendix C
Fairer
Fairer
Makes it fairer for families
More straight forward, practical & fair.
Fairer
It's a fairer system. Given that distance is already a
consideration where there is oversubscription then surely it's the
way to go. However, whilst a review of admission arrangements
is necessary, some schools have to improve the education that
they provide. Schools should be sharing best practices and this
ought to be a policy that the Local Authoity should also consider.
Some Heads are experienced educators and business people,
others have one and not the other and some have neither.
Broadstone Middle as a clear example of this. Oversubscription
numbers could potentially be reduced if schools were held more
accountable, particularly the head and the Chair of Governors to
raising standards. Converting to academies won't necessarily
improve the situation either. A review of admission
arrangements is only part of the problem.
Ad Astra Infant School
Bishop Aldhelm’s Church of
England VA Primary School
Broadstone First School
Haymoor Junior School
Broadstone Middle School
Will it reduce the necessity for schools to have bulge classes
which are not always financially viable?
Fairer
Fairer
This seems the fairest for local communities.
Because I feel the current system is unfair and doesn't make
sense. In the olden days you went to the school closest to you.
Broadstone First School
Courthill Infant School
Broadstone Middle School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Fairer
Because it is unfair to live very close to a school and not be able
to go there. If you live on the far edge of your catchment area for
an over subscribed school you are then left with no local school
to go to. You end up having to travel a long way to a school that
you have not chosen to go to. There are many reasons why this
is very disruptive to a family.
Fairer
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Courthill Infant School
Fairest to everyone. Make no exceptions and do not adopt the
rule about those not near a school e.g. living in Sandbanks
having preference over those close to a school, they choose to
live there.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Fairer
Fairer
13
Appendix C
Fairer
Fairer
Fairer
I agree that offering school places based on distance is a fairer
system than the current one, but only if this does not then
discriminate on the grounds of 'faith'. I strongly oppose faith
being used as a criteria as several people attend church (for the
minimum period only) purely to obtain a place at their preferred
school, thereby discriminating against those that live near to the
school but do not attend church. It is wrong that children who
live further away, even in a neighbouring town, get preferential
treatment based on pseudo-religious grounds.
I think the proposed change is the fairest way to manage this
issue. The current method of stipulating certain roads within a
catchment means that some people who actually live closer to
the school than others can still be outside of its catchment,
which is not right.
It makes the most sense and is fairest. Everyone has the right to
attend a school if they choose to be part of the community and
live near it
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
PLEASE NOTE - You must NOT consider introducing a system
of ranking to ensure those
who live in areas not near any school are prioritised for a place
at their closest
school. With Poole being landlocked by the sea this rule would
mean all those who choose to live by the sea e.g. in Branksome,
Canford Cliffs, Parkstone and Sandbanks in expensive houses
would have priority over those who live nearer a school and are
much more part of the community, which is completely wrong.
Deal with this by APPEALS only.
Fairer
It seems a fairer system
Courthill Infant School
Fairer
Most fair and logical way to allocate school places
Courthill Infant School
14
Appendix C
Fairer
The alternative system will provide a fairer system than currently
exists and will remove some of the anomalies in the current
systems. I support the retention of the criteria related to siblings,
statemented children and those in care. Careful consideration
should be given to any future criteria related to faith schools
given the propensity for some parents to manipulate the system
in this respect.
This would make the system fairer and easier to understand,
especially for some areas where schools arent even in their
catchment.
To ensure a fair system for all schools and pupils
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
By removing catchment areas it will make the system fairer to
all; children should attend the school that is closest to them. It
will also reduce the 'competition' between parents who move
(renting or buying) into specific catchment areas to ensure their
children are allocated a place at a particular school, which
creates, in some situations, a degree of elitism (and drives up
house prices in certain areas, although we appreciate this is not
part of the consideration of this consultation). We strongly
believe that children should go to their local (closest) school as
this should ensure a better 'balance' and mix of pupils from all
backgrounds. Growing up, my husband and I went to our local
school; this was the 'norm' and we feel as parents now that our
children should be educated in the same way. Too much time
seems to be spent by a large number of parents (although not
all) trying to ensure that their children get into the 'right' school.
The catchment areas in Poole are also outdated and in some
instances seemingly illogical, which has been acknowledged by
the Council, and we thank those driving the consultation for
potentially bringing this change about.
This will be a fairer system as some catchment areas are out of
synch with their local school community
Heatherlands Primary School
Fairer
Because it is fairer for all.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Fairer
Because it provides clarity and consistency across the borough
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Fairer
Fairer
Fairer
Fairer
15
Heatherlands Primary School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Appendix C
Fairer
Roads close to schools are not always in that school's
catchment area which is unfair. I ONLY SUPPORT OPTION 1 IF
SIBLINGS ARE GIVEN PRIORITY ENTRY OVER DISTANCE.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Fairer
A system based on distance is a much fairer and logical system
to employ.
It should also help greatly in reducing the amount of traffic as
parents would not have to rely on cars to take their children to
school. Safer for older children who are walking to and from
school unaccompanied.
Seems a fairer way of deciding on school places. It also seems
sensible that siblings will get priority.
Longfleet CE VC Primary
School
Fairer
fairer
Fairer
It seems by far more logical, fair, and convenient way to allocate
places especially for those parents who do not have access to
transport, they should be able to gain a place at there nearest
school.
It seems to make a lot more sense and is fairer. As a teacher at
an oversubscribed school I am aware that the admissions
process can, at present be a headache.
Old Town Infant School and
Nursery
Sylvan Infant School
Fairer
Fairer
Merley First School
Sylvan Infant School
Fairer
this appears to offer a fairer system instead of the catchment
system where a child may be sent to their catchment school
which is not their closest school
Talbot Primary School
Fairer
Fairer
Seems more fair
The current system needs reviewing and is unfair to many.
Friendship
groups
The children generally will know each other - makes transition
form one school to the other easier and given the green policies
of the council each family should be able to walk to their school
reducing the horrendous amounts of traffic around the school
roads at drop off and pick up time. My closest infant school is 7
mins walk away yet my catchment school would take 30 - 45
minutes across some really busy roads.
Turlin Moor Community School
Twin Sails Infant School and
Nursery
Courthill Infant School
16
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Broadstone Middle School and
Allenborne Middle School
(Shared Area)
Oakdale Junior School
Branksome Heath Junior
School
Branksome Heath Junior
School
Hamworthy Park Junior School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Appendix C
Friendship
groups
I believe that the main basis of any school is one of community.
Therefore by selecting pupils on distance from school, the
children with go to school with other children in the same area
there building up a community.
Merley First School
Broadstone Middle School and
Allenborne Middle School
(Shared Area)
Makes sense
Makes sense
It makes obvious sense.
This is a much better way of working it, it means no child has a
very low chance of getting in as there is no set distance.
Ad Astra Infant School
Bishop Aldhelm’s Church of
England VA Primary School
Haymoor Junior School
Makes sense
Seems the most sensible solution to the issue of an increase in
the numbers of pupils applying for school places within Poole.
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle School
Makes sense
Distances seem to make more sense than arbitrary lines on
maps, which can never allow for changes in population and
school intakes year on year.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Makes sense
Having school places allocated on distance seems a more
logical approach. If you cannot walk to your primary school then
you are at the wrong school. This should also be followed
through with families moving into or leaving an area. Council tax
is related to the area and services where you live and this
should be consistent to school places as well.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Makes sense
It makes most sense for a child to go to the school that is
nearest to them.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Makes sense
Makes more sense to use distance rather than an outdated
catchment area
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Makes sense
Because this is what is happening currently with the 3
preference system.
Hillbourne School
Also if a child/mother can walk to school all the better within (1.5
miles) for example.
17
Appendix C
Makes sense
It makes sense to allow the child to go to school in the nearest
school to its home. IF the child wants a single sex school or
church school then not sure how this rule would be applied then.
I do not agree with obviously un religious parents and children
simply going to church a few times to get into an academically
excellent OFSTED graded school. I think this needs to stop and
IF a child requires a church school then they should have been
Christened and have a genuine love of God and going to church
to pray and a belief in that and not just the schools results.
personally I think all English schools should be Christian based
and still have Christian Assemblies. Singing Christian hymns
and prayers. Christian ethos and way of life.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Makes sense
It makes sense to review the way in which schools allocate
places. The number of children within a given area, plus the
population creep due to new housing developments requires the
current method to be revised. I support option 1 as a vehicle for
improving the system.
As an American, I find the catchment system filled with racial
and class bias and downright confusing. "Good schools" have
catchment areas which snake around less wealthy areas in
Poole and some people have to take their children miles away
every morning and afternoon while passing closer schools. My
daughter would be affected by this change, and frankly, it just
makes more sense.
Merley First School
Broadstone Middle School and
Allenborne Middle School
(Shared Area)
Old Town Infant School and
Nursery
Oakdale Junior School
Makes sense
18
Appendix C
Makes sense
Makes sense providing that distances are easy to measure.
Living closer will encaourage walking and cycling helping to
reduce congestion. Living near the school also makes it easier
for families to pick up/drop off.
Outside of Poole
However, some people have purchased property (often at an
overinflated price) due to its position within a catchment and
these issues will need to be carefully managed.
If catchments are removed then the quality of some schools
rated satisfactory or good needs to be improved to result in a
level playing field. The quality of school leads to inmcreased
numbers of people wanting to atted the school and drives up
house prices in the catchment. Addressing standards hand in
hand with catchment changes needs to take place.
Makes sense
Sensible approach, although surely you will need to do this in
conjunction with others suchs as all schools in the Corfe Hills
Pyramid as well as Dorset CC?
Springdale First School and
Broadstone First School
(Shared Area)
Broadstone Middle School
Makes sense
We live in Jolliffe Road in Poole and have a ,great school we
could walk to in 2 minutes yet it's not in our catchment which is
crazy.
Stanley Green Infant Academy
Oakdale Junior School
19
Appendix C
Makes sense
Makes sense
More practical
I believe the only people who benefit from catchment areas are
Sylvan Infant School
Estate Agents who hike up the value of properties in certain
catchment areas even though there is no guarantee of your child
getting a place. Also the Borough of Poole adopted the historic
Dorset County Council catchment areas which are not correct.
In fact our catchment school is further away and a much more
dangerous route that the one my children currently attend.
Houses that are nearer our catchment school have a different
catchment school. The current system is unfair to all. Very
much in agreement to get rid of catchment areas altogether. I
think it would also benefit the housing market and reduce over
priced homes just because of their catchment school! At last
some common sense!
It makes sense!
Talbot Primary School
The catchment areas are not a logical basis on which to allocate Sylvan Infant School
school places and distance would be more practical although not
without a number of similar issues arising, in particular in relation
to high performing schools. In Poole, it is highly likely that house
prices will skew based on distance from such schools (although
arguably "catchment" schools are marketed at an inflated price
for that reason currently).
However, as a member of the congregation at a church outside
my parish and as part of that church community, I am concerned
that the report suggests that the few existing church schools in
Poole might be asked to consider to allocate places based on no
faith criteria. It is very important to a significant number of
residents that their children should be brought up in the Christian
faith and it is, in my view, wholly right that Christian parents
should have access to a Christian education for their child
should they so choose. The consultation has not really
addressed how the new criteria would impact on those families;
there is no question in my mind that, should my children not be
offered a place at a church school, then home school or
independent school would be my only options. Obviously, this
would have a detrimental impact on Christian families across the
Borough.
20
Branksome Heath Junior
School
Branksome Heath Junior
School
Appendix C
Not much
difference
Prevent
cheating
Realistic
Rush decision
Siblings
Simplify the
system
There isn't really much difference apart from those closest get a
place first. Not sure how this solves the over-subscription
though?
To prevent people cheating the system
Sylvan Infant School
Living in the BH14 area the catchment areas create a sense of
automatic entry into a school. Many people in the BH14 area do
not get their catchment school and therefore if distance is the
entry criteria people will have a more realistic idea if they are
going to get in to their local school.
Old Town Infant School and
Nursery
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
I can see that the catchment areas are out of date. However I
think that this has been a rush decision and I think it should not
come into affect in 2016. It is of utmost importance that we
accomodate and get used to the new junior school and see what
it does for the oversubscibed area as the problems with Baden
Powell may diminish.
My children were not allowed to attend the same school as we
moved slightly out of catchment. I think increased sibling
preference makes sense as families want to keep children
together even if housing circumstances need to change.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
1. Greater clarity for parents.
2. To eliminate anomalies, eg catchnebt areas containing too
many children, or schools being outside their own catchment
area.
3.To simplify the system and allow academies to fit in as and
when they come about.
Old Town Infant School and
Nursery
21
Branksome Heath Junior
School
Manorside Primary School
Longfleet CE VC Primary
School
Oakdale Junior School
Appendix C
Stressful
experience if
not in
catchment
We have fallen foul of the catchment criteria with one of our
children previously and it can be an incredibly stressful
experience when you don't get your child into your 'catchment'
school.
Having read the proposals and if I am reading it correctly it
should have a positive impact on families and should negate the
current lottery system. In my particular case I believe I would
benefit under the' higher priority' for siblings being admitted to a
school where other siblings are when they commence, this is the
situation I will be in in 2016 with one child going into Y6 & one
into Y3, again if I understand correctly I should stand a better
chance of getting my younger child into the same school as the
older child than under the present system.
22
Stanley Green Infant Academy
Oakdale Junior School
Appendix C
Uniformity
across the
Borough
i, As schools become acadamies the catchment areas will be
removed any way and by doing this earlier it prevents a
piecemeal effect and prevents " deadmans Land " areas where
the school has become an acadamy but its neeighbours havent
and there by leaves the children and parents with in the former
catchment in limbo and at a severe disadvantage.
ii, Offering places on distance from the school, not only seems
common sense but will help the school run traffic problems and
thus make all schools a safer place for children at the start and
end of the day, which can only be a benefit.
iii, All schools will become acadmies in time this just provides a
smooth transition for every one involved.
I think that you (the council) have allowed a good amount of time
to implement the change and so long as the decision is widely
known then it is a fair change. I do think that this should be
about the children and their education and NOT about people
with houses within catchment areas complaining about house
price reductions (as was the majority of disagreements at the
meeting i attended to find out more) as this is the fault of the
estate agents for advertising as such, not the council as there
are no guarentees of a place within catchment anyway.
I also believe the faith schools should also be allowed to enrol
on a faith basis, however i can see the need for parish
catchments or some such there.
In general people don't like change but i believe that this change
will benefit both children and parents alike in the long term by
providing uniformity across the borough.
23
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And St Peter's
CE Junior School
Appendix C
Table B2: 88 people explained why they do not support the Council’s proposal. The responses are coded and sorted by Infant and Primary
Catchment Area.
Main reasons
Comment
Infant and Primary
Catchment
Junior and Middle
Schools
Catchment
Catchments
clearer
Think catchments are clearer
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Child attend
closest school,
faith
Because keeping school catchments ensures people who live inside those
catchments, and are therefore closest to the school, get admission to the
respective schools.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Removing catchments would enable too many children applying on religious
grounds, but living far away from the schools within Poole, to take priority over
children who live close to the school (this is specifically the case for Lilliput
School).
Congestion
In short, catchments need to remain as they currently are as long as religion
takes precedence over distance.
Living near a local school and seeing the number of children brought to school
in cars it is surely not the way forward to remove catchment areas. These
should be within a certain area of the school and therefore be near enough for
the pupils to walk or ride a bicycle to school. The government want us all to
decrease our emissions, removing catchment ares will surely increase them.
24
Bishop Aldhelm’s Church of
England VA Primary School
Appendix C
Congestion, faith
criteria,
oversubscription
still an issue,
sandbanks
issue,
uncertainty,
unfair
I don't think the proposal will sort out the issues and will give some people an
unfair advantage over others;
I live in the Baden Powell and Courthill catchment area; It is my understanding
that in Poole it is this area that has the biggest issues with regards to school
oversubscription. This is obviously due to a large number of people moving
close to schools to assure that their children get in. The propsals by the council
will in no way eradicate this issue and won't help the oversubscription to
certain schools. If anything these proposals will cause more chaos and misery
to parents. There will still be too many children trying to get into these schools
and parents moving closer and closer to assure their children get in. As I
understand it this proposal will just give an unfair advantage to parents further
away e.g. those living on the sandbanks peninsular or canford cliffs as their
closest schools will be these schools so they will get preference over people
living closer.
First this is grossly unfair because people living further away would very likely
have to drive to go to either these schools or ones further away and this would
mean they would potentially take the place of a child that may be able to walk
to school. This would increase congestion and traffic and make the roads
round the schools even more dangerous.
Secondly this will put an unfair pressure on the local churches as church
attendance will inherently increase with this proposal. This in itself is not a bad
thing however people will use churches as a means of getting in to these
schools as the current guideline is for 6 months of attendance (which in my
view is too short - it should be 2 years as per Bournemouth schools which
shows a true commitment rather than a 6 time attendance to get your child into
a particular school!).
Also this proposal will mean parents will have no means at all of being able to
calculate whether their children will 'get in' from their location - it will be a
lottery for most as no one has the ability to know how many people will apply
any given year from certain areas. This again is grossly unfair as it does not
give parents any comfort.
It is a thoroughly horrible plan and every parent I have spoken to is unhappy
about it. Please do not put this new proposal in place, we as Poole parents
want the catchment areas to stay as they are.
25
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Appendix C
Congestion, Live
near school
Congestion,
Road Safety
Current system
is fair
Current system
works
Current system
works
It's better for children to be nearer schools to homes. It reduces traffic or
opportunities for walking school buses. And neighbourhoods are closer.
Application should state the clear boundarys and decision on who should go to
which schools, and if population changes due to additional housing being built
this should be allowed for in extending existing schools or building new one in
area.
Accessing single sex schools or church school rules should be reviewed, for
example if a child's parents wants to access eg. Lilliput school a more robust
way of showing the family's commitment and continuing commitment to the
church. Not just attending church occasionally before application to get a
ticket from the vicar to get a school place. This should not be a single way of
accessing a place. I was shown around a voluntary aid c of e senior school
and the sixth former told us he was an atheist and it was his parents had got
him in. Far to much pressure on the application process, to gain access to high
achieving schools.
Distance rules can be tricky eg if there are two friends living in same street ,
then certain rules like longest shortest distance may mean one child is offered
a place and the other not. This is a dreadful blow for the child living further
sling the street, and not a fair situation for the child who is very disappointed,
and would not understand the complexities of such rules.
The safety of our children will be seriously compromised if catchment areas
are to removed. Has any of the first or middle schools in Broadstone
considered that children from areas such as Lytchett Drive would have to cross
several main roads such as Broadstone Way to get to Hilbourne school? This
also, by a few minutes, would be their closest school when walking but in the
car, which the majority of parents will use, will be a lot further and add to
congestion on our roads. There is a serious neglect of safety for our young
children and these proposals should not be implemented.
I feel that although there may be oversubscribed schools in the area especially
were I live being courthill and baden powell catchment, however I still feel that
this is a fair system that works.
The system works now so why change what isn't broken
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Haymoor Junior
School
The present system works fine,
Hillbourne School
26
Ad Astra Infant School
Appendix C
Current system
works
The current system works fine so why change it.
Springdale First School and
Broadstone First School
(Shared Area)
Broadstone Middle
School
Current system
works
I feel the statistics that were presented at the meetings demonstrated the pupil
densities in some areas fluctuated so highly from year to year, that actual
school intake areas would change wildly . This would far from reduce stress for
parents.
I understand that the current system of catchment areas has difficulties in a
very limited number of cases and those problems are mostly around a few
number of schools . I believe as a whole the system work better for most
parents and children.
There has to be some way of deciding who goes to which school and I feel the
one we have currently works well.
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Current system
works, increase
places, moved
into catchment
There is a deficit in school places however changing the catchment areas will
not affect this as there are still the same number of children who need to go to
school. More classes need to be made in the schools that exist. There needs
to be funding for more teachers rather than spening money changing the
organisational process.
Some people have made decisions about jobs and where to buy houses
according to school catchment areas to try and ensure their children have the
maximum chance of going to a school of their choice. Changing the catchment
areas will make this null and void.
Encforce
existing
catchments
Faith / Siblings
In order to maximise a childs chance of going to both a good first and middle
school one would have to live as near to equidistant between the two as
possible. This is unrealistic for many families.
If present catchment areas were enforced there would be no problem. Many
children at my local school are from outside the catchment area.
My daughter and her husband specifically bought a house in the catchment
area of Courthill School this will therefore adversely effect them.
There is no discernible benefit to parents by removing the catchment area. It
will amplify the unfair descrepancies with the faith element for Baden Powell
with Church goers getting in before local people . If you are going to have a
review then review the whole process including the sibling rule as well ie all
criteria.
27
Appendix C
Faith, other
Faith, over
subscription still
exists, other,
Sandbanks
issue
I do not see how removing catchment areas will realistically change the
oversubscribed nature of Courthill and Baden Powell schools. As long as they
are considered high achieving schools parents will want their children to gain
attendance. More effort should be put into bringing other surrounding schools
up to a similar standard. On a personal level my children are currently in
catchment for both Courthill and Baden Powell if the changes are put into
effect they will stand little chance of qualifying due to the distance we live from
the schools. We would consider attending St Peters to qualify under the
current religious criteria as I suspect many other parents will this in turn may
result in an increased number of church going children being admitted at the
cost of non church going children living closer to the school, surely this is not a
fair situation.
1) I believe it is a big change, where change may not be needed. This year
85% of parents got their first choice school. The reasons sited for the change eg school not in its own catchment seem spurious as these schools are not
over subscribed anyway. The new junior school not having a catchment may
work as a bonus and not require the abandoning of the whole catchment
system.
2) We live in an area with the most consistently oversubscribed school (Baden
Powell). Removing catchment would have the effect of giving even more
weight to faith criteria as this would come above distance in the
oversubscription criteria. This could mean people who meet the faith criteria
Poole wide could have preference there, meaning local people would be at a
big disadvantage. The faith criteria is already abused, with big increases in
church attendence in months leading up to application.
3) If change is made and part of the criteria to decide places takes into account
having to pass a nearer school to get to another, then this would be very unfair
in our area, as people on lillliput peninsula would have an advantage over
others based on distance.
4) Overall I feel a change away from catchment would have far reaching and
even less fair results than currently in the area (Courthill/Lilliput/Baden Powell)
where current oversubscription is a big problem. Effects in other areas would
be less - but there is less problem with oversubscription there anyway now.
5) If catchment areas were abandoned then the fairest thing to do would be to
abandon faith as a criteria in these schools also - and have purely 1)
28
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Appendix C
SEN/looked after children 2)siblings 3)distance (and distance purely in a
radius, no weighting to having to pass a school to get to another)
Friendship
groups, siblings,
stress
Children who are already in their catchment infant school may not get a place
at the linked junior school due to changes in rules. This will cause disruption to
friendship groups and social functioning. It will be particularly disruptive for
children who find new environments/people difficult for instance children with
additional needs. It will also cause difficulties for families with a younger sibling
still at the catchment infant school who will have two different schools to attend
at the same time.
Removing school catchments would have no impact on supply and it is more
important to increase number of places that are available.
Twin Sails Infant School
and Nursery
Hamworthy Park
Junior School
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
More schools
Catchment area has worked well for years. We need more schools built in over
subscribed areas so everyone has a place not large class numbers.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Moved into area,
stress
Removing catchment areas makes it easier for the admissions team but it does
not make it easier for parents who then have no idea at all. We have paid a
premium to be in this catchment area. Our house will not be as desirable if the
catchment is removed at this point and that thought causes us a lot of stress.
We currently live in the catchment area for Canford Heath Infant and Junior
schools and on that basis have recently made the decision to extend our home
rather than move. I believe that this would not be our closest school but is the
preferred one for our [child] to go to as it appears to be a very good school and
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Increase school
places
Moved into
catchment
29
Canford Heath Infant
School
Canford Heath
Junior School
Appendix C
has an excellent reputation.
Moved into
catchment
Moved into
catchment
Moved into
catchment
Moved into
catchment
Moved into
catchment
The current system, though not faultless, is understood by all and has had a
substantial impact on where families have chosen to but property. It is unfair to
change the system to one not fully understood and which will disadvantage
many who have specifically bought in certain areas based on the existing
catchment system. Stamp duty and legal expenses are not cheap!
The revised rankings reduce the priority for my child attending the school of
choice, even though we live close by. It seems unfair to me that, having lived in
the catchment area for all of her life, my child will be disadvantaged.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
We bought our house based on the school catchment areas. I have looked at
the mileage and we are exactly the same distance between Courthill and
Heatherlands, 12 minute walk, 0.6 miles.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
The current system has Courthill and Baden Powell as our catchment area
schools and I would worry that the new scheme would mean our [child] ended
up at Heatherlands, defeating the purpose of our house purchase.
Based on exisiting guidelines we purchased a house in 2011. Our child was
born in 2012 will be caught out. At least 5 years before changes.
Firstly, it could significantly effect parents who have already planned and
organised their household into a specific catchment, specifically to ensure that
they get a preferred school for their children (often at great cost and personal
sacrifice!).
Secondly, as more schools are opting out of council run system anyway,
spending any time and money on changing the system is just a pointless waste
of resources!
How is it that councils always claim that they have limited resources and then
spend a small fortune on conducting surveys like this... please find something
better to do!
30
Appendix C
Moved into
catchment
I have paid a premium to be 'in catchment'. This is not a debate on distance as
few children walk to school. This is a debate because those outside of
catchment want in. People have invested based upon the current rules. Why
move the goal posts?
We struggled to move to the area and good school catchment area was part of
the rationale. With my young family in find I want them to go to the same
school. This will make family logistics much easier for my family rather than
contribute to us leaving the area.
Current school catchment has always worked well for us both at our previous
address and our new one. It is the fairest way for oversubscribed schools to fill
places and for appeals to be resolved. We moved to be in a favoured school
catchment and want to keep that secure for our children.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Merley First School
Moved into
catchment
We spent a large amount of money to move into this area for the best school.
Our [child] is due to start Springdale First. School in September and we would
like our ][child] to attend the same school in 3 years time.
Springdale First School and
Broadstone First School
(Shared Area)
Broadstone Middle
School and
Allenborne Middle
School (Shared
Area)
Broadstone Middle
School
Moved into
catchment / give
notice
Have bought a house close to courthill school because of its good reputation,
my [child] will hopefully go there in sept 2016 and would be able to walk to
school. If catchment areas were removed then there are addresses north of
the Ashley road which are currently in a different catchment that would be
closer and put [their] chance of a place at risk. We probably live too far from
lilliput to get a place there so then would be forced to drive [them] to another
school further away. We may have moved somewhere different if we had
known this May have been the case. I think if catchment areas are removed
more notice eg 5 years needs to be given.
We have worked extremely hard and delayed having a family to buy in
catchment for Lilliput. As we are located on Twemlow Avenue it is likely that a
change will see us changing catchment which will mean that our 2 year old will
not be able to attend our first choice school and the value of our property will
also drop substantially.
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Moved into
catchment
Moved into
catchment
Moved into
catchment /
Property price
31
Appendix C
Moved into
catchment /
Property price
Moved into
catchment,
Current system
works, unfair
Moved into
catchment,
oversubscription
, unfair.
Moved into
catchment,
property prices
1) I cannot support the proposal without official stated distances between my
house and the surrounding schools being published so I can confirm my
nearest schools according to your measurement. I would also need to
understand how you have measured those routes and if I agree they are
practical for my children.
2) House prices. We bought our house and paid the inflated price based on its
school catchments.
I live in catchment for my chosen school, my [child] attends this school and i
wish my [other child] to do so too.
We bought our house with school catchment in mind which is not uncommon.
I don't feel it is fair to all those who have made specific decisions linked to
school catchment.
Moving house is an upheaval and expense that you cannot expect people to
do, let alone afford due to someone or a group of people deciding to change
the rules.
It works and everyone knows where they stand so in my view it will not help to
change the system.It will just cause more problems and issues.
Please take into consideration the families and children it will adversely affect.
The proposed changes will greatly impact those who have moved to
Broadstone specifically to attend Broadstone schools and be in the catchment
area. It would mean that in certain areas the closest school will no longer be
the 'preferred school'. It will greatly impact those who are forced to attend their
closest school, such as hillbourne, and following on from there going to Poole
High which is completely out of area as opposed to Corfe Hills. It will split
roads into attending completely different schools. The fairest option, therefore,
would be to keep catchment areas the same and if schools become
oversubscribed then it is based on distance. It is completely unfair on those
who live in Broadstone to attend schools out of this area.
We live within Courthill School catchment and specifically bought our house as
it is within this school catchment. The proposed changes would mean that our
nearest school would be Sylvan School. We are deeply unhappy with this
proposal as the decision to move to our current property was based entirely on
school catchment. Indeed, we feel we paid a premium to be within Courthill
and Baden Powell school catchments and these changes would not only
adversely affect our [child's] education but also the property price of our house.
32
Springdale First School and
Broadstone First School
(Shared Area)
Broadstone Middle
School
Bishop Aldhelm’s Church of
England VA Primary School
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Appendix C
Moved into
catchment,
property prices
I solely purchased our family home and paid a premium on the basis it was in
Lillput Catchment and had been for many years.
If this is changed we will have to move from the family home we planned to
stay in for years to come. One road west of us (Alverton avenue) is not in
Lilliput catchment and the variation in price is anywhere between £200,000300,000 less. If Poole council make this change are you proposing to
reimburse most of the local area this kind of money plus moving costs as most
of my neighbours including myself will take this as far as we have too. This
decision is life changing for young families who have saved and bought
properties in good faith to ensure they are in a good school catchment.
I brought my property on my own as a single mum so my children would be in
the catchment for the good schools in the area eg Allenborne and Corfe Hills.
My property cost a lot more than if I had moved 2 miles down the road, so I
think it is totally unfair to now remove the catchment areas!!!
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Merley First School
Broadstone Middle
School and
Allenborne Middle
School (Shared
Area)
Moved into
catchment,
property prices,
other, unfair
Seems wholly unfair as we have recently bought our house to be in catchment
area for a good school. If this changes we will consider legal action due to a)
No longer being in catchment and b) fall in property value
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Moved into
catchment,
property prices,
too much
change
Poole schools are changing constantly. This is particularly the case in within
the Corfe Hills pyramid. I strongly believe that this is too much change too
quickly. Without a change across the whole pyramid (including the East Dorset
LEA Schools) this proposal cannot work. We also purchased a house with in
our desired catchment area to ensure our children could attend the local
schools. With one child in year 5 and the other in reception, these plans could
put this in jeopardy, potentially reduce house prices in this area and massively
complicate the logistics of getting two children to two different schools in vastly
opposite directions.
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Moved into
catchment,
property prices
33
Appendix C
Moved into
catchment,
property prices,
uncertainty.
I moved to Broadstone because of the schools. I now find I may not be in
catchment. House prices will be affected. Too much uncertainty within the
pyramid at the moment with proposed intake changes at corfe hills and
academy status for Broadstone First and Middle.
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Moved into
catchment,
siblings, faith
We bought our house so that we would be living in the Lilliput School
catchment area and could get our children into an outstanding school. The
proposed system will make it unlikely that our third child will be able to attend
Lilliput as his two older siblings will have moved on to Baden-Powell by then
and we live in one of the more distant parts of the current catchment area. The
proposed system will penalise people who have already paid a premium for
their properties, and it will also have a negative impact on property prices in
certain areas potentially leading to property owners being in significant
negative equity.
The proposed new system will also exacerbate the current problem of people
attending church purely as a means of trying to gain access to oversubscribed
school places on religious grounds.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
34
Appendix C
Moved into
catchment,
property prices,
other, unfair
The proposal to remove catchment areas should not proceed for the following
reasons:
(1) The proposal is extremely unfair to those residents who have decided to
purchase property in a catchment area (and paid a premium to do so) in order
to give their children a reasonable chance of getting into a particular school.
This seems to be a very common complaint / concern with the Council's
proposal. The Council's proposal is extremely unfair on families that have
carefully planned for their children's education. This is unacceptable.
(2) The new junior school may alleviate the current pressures on pupil places
at certain schools thus negating the need for any change to the current
system. No changes to catchment areas / admission criteria should be made /
proposed until the impact of the new junior school has been ascertained.
(3) Given that many (if not all) of the local schools are considering moving to
academy status (and thus could then set their own admission criteria), making
changes to the current system would seem to be a waste of valuable Council
resources (on the basis that any changes that are implemented may end up
being short lived).
(4) The proposal would result in extreme localised property price bubbles as
demand for properties closest to preferred schools sky rockets and house
prices increase accordingly. This is likely to be a greater problem than with the
current catchment system (where distance is not the only criterion). It is not
appropriate for a proposal on school admission criteria to have such an impact
on property prices.
(5) The Council's proposal arguably leads to even less certainty / predictability
for families as to the school a particular child will get into than is currently the
case (unless of course the family/child lives right next to the school). This is
unfair on families.
If the Council decides to proceed with its proposal (in spite of the points
above), the proposal must not be implemented within the proposed time scale.
Instead, a longer lead in time should be allowed - I would suggest at least six
years. This will ensure that families who have already purchased in a
particular catchment area (and have paid a property price premium to do so)
are not unfairly disadvantaged and provides people who are planning to have a
35
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Appendix C
family / purchase a property a long enough period to plan where they live etc
based on the schools they would like thier children to attend. This will also
allow time for the impact of the new junior school and the transition to academy
status of many local schools to be understood and assessed. If the Council
proposal proceeds then we would expect that, prior to final approval being
given, an independent expert reviews the Council's proposal to ensure that it is
an appropriate and workable response to the problems the Council believes
exist with the current system.
Moved into
catchment.
Certainty.
We have pushed ourselves financially and moved twice to get into catchment at least you should know where your child will go and this gives you choice and
freedom to choose.
Springdale First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Not oversubscribed
Children have been able to get places out of catchment so I do not agree with
the argument that they are over subscribed.
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Other
To be honest I would jump at the change if my chosen school was closer. My
catchment school is 1.4 miles away and my chosen school is two miles away
so whatever you decide makes no difference to my child I will still be trying to
Ad Astra Infant School
Haymoor Junior
School
36
Appendix C
get her into a school out of area.
Other
Overscription
still an issue
Overscription
still an issue
Overscription
still an issue
Oversubscription
still exist
Properties built
in catchments
Property prices
Because my catchment school is Manorside and St Aldhelms Academy and I
would never send my children there. It's not just going by other people, I know
kids there who have an awful time and I know teachers there. I would rather
home school.
It doesn't change the number of places available in a school, just how they will
be filled. Good schools will always be oversubscribed. Although catchment is
not perfect, it does offer some certainty, is well understood and has played a
large part in people decisions on where they have bought houses in the area,
for which they are likely to have paid a premium. It seems very unfair to
change this at a stroke when it doesn't effect the educational benefit to the
general community, and would be particularly unfair to some areas who
wouldn't have a choice of nearest schools. Everyone has had a choice on
where they live in repespect to a catchment area but cannot change that now
to follow a new system.
Whilst there is a logic to option 1 we think it would cause as many problems as
it would solve. E.g. if one's nearest school was over subscribed then one could
find one's child still having to attend a school that was not the nearest safe
walking distance, over subscription would remain a problem.
Will not address lack of enough places. Schools will remain oversubscribed
unless you provide more capacity!
This does not tackle the fundamental problem. That is capacity not catchment.
Schools will always be over subscribed
Manorside Primary School
With the Borough of Poole allowing so much new development in this area,
with pecuniary advantages to the council and to the already rich developers "cashing in" the school catchment location - I feel that people who have lived in
the "old catchment" will be left with no good school available to them.
It could impact on house prices dramatically.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
37
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Bishop Aldhelm’s Church of
England VA Primary School
Appendix C
Property prices
I am worried about the fall in my property values.
Courthill Infant School
Property prices
Removal of school catchment areas will have a severe, detrimental effect on
property prices for many people. Removal of school catchment areas will
affect hard working families who have paid a premium to purchase property in
the catchment of popular schools. As such, any decision to remove catchment
areas would penalise people who have been working hard to provide the best
start possible for their children.
This will have a huge impact on those of us who have paid a premium for our
properties because they are in a certain catchment, and to do it so suddenly
and quickly may place people who have recently purchased their property in
Negative Equity as thousands can be knocked of their properties just by
removing the catchments.
I moved to the Whitecliff area 2 years ago, one of the main reasons being it's
proximity to Lilliput First School and Baden-Powell as I planned to start a family
in the area. Removing the current catchment areas will not only mean my
children will have a reduced chance of gaining entry to Lilliput, it will also affect
the value of my property which in turn will make it harder to afford a move into
an area where entry is more likely.
My son & daughter in law specifically bought a house in the Lilliput catchment
area so that their son (b 2012) could attend Lilliput C of E V C Infant School.
They had to pay a large premium for this (according to local estate agents,
approx 20%, 10% above the national average). The proposed change will
dramatically affect their [Child's] education and the value of their property.
1) Distance from the school would be fine if schools were spread out evenly,
rather than a few schools bunched together and then large distances with
none. Therefore a radius around each school wouldn't work due to overlap and
some areas not covered at all.
2) Current catchments work. The problem is that some schools are below the
standard people would like. If those schools could be improved, people would
not be fighting over one or two schools that are seen as the 'only good ones'.
3) Catchment areas affect house prices. It seems unfair to those who have had
to pay a premium for their house for that house to depreciate in value if
changes in this system were to be approved. The people who've worked hard
for their houses shouldn't be of any less value than those less fortunate.
Courthill Infant School
Property prices
Property prices
Property prices
Property prices,
current
catchment
works,
38
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Appendix C
Property prices,
oversubscription
still exists
I think catchment areas provide families with a framework for choosing a
school and also when buying a house. If school places were allocated purely
on distance first, this could create a great deal of imbalance in the local
housing market and an unfair advantage for those living closest to schools.
The distance element I believe is used in the current system but only where a
school is oversubscribed.
39
Springdale First School and
Broadstone First School
(Shared Area)
Broadstone Middle
School
Appendix C
Property prices,
Standard of
schools, Walk to
school
Property prices,
walk to school
Property
prices,Over
subscribed
I live in Broadstone which is very much a community and the schools which fall
into the current catchment are very much part of the community. I feel that
moving part of Broadstone into other schools IE Hillbourne school, would
remove the children from the Broadstone community especially if they then
have to move into secondary schools outside of the area.
The housing prices in Broadstone reflect the good schools we have in the area
and I would expect there would be an impact in house prices for those houses
whose schools would no longer fall into the current Broadstone First and
Springdale school catchment.
People move to Broadstone for Broadstone First and Springdale schools and
Hillborne school needs to improve before it is anywhere at the same standard
as these schools.
From looking at the admission stats for last year both Broadstone First &
Springdale schools offered places to children out of the current catchment. So
whilst the schools were oversubscribed as places were offered outside the
catchments shouldn't the catchment areas be increased rather than potentially
decreased by removing houses which fall nearer to Hillbourne?
I have a [child] at Broadstone First and a second [child] due to start there in
2016. I have another baby due this coming September which I would like to be
sent to the same school and onto the same secondary schools. I feel that
changing 'catchment' whilst there are changes in the pipeline to the pyramid of
schools in Broadstone is not beneficial to the families at this time.
While I appreciate the issues involved, I do not think the options make the
situation any better or any fairer. Catchment areas have a direct impact on
house prices (rightly or wrongly) and for those of us who are working hard to
stay afloat, it would be another 'kick in the teeth'. Also, decisions to move to a
location are based on local schooling, it is not just about the teaching but also
ease of accessibility with the ability to walk your child to school; or ability to
drop off/pick up on the way to/from work. For me, when my child reaches the
next stage of schooling, she would need to be taken by car during the rush
hour making me late for work if the catchment areas were changed. I would
need encourage her to walk by herself given the distance and the roads
between the house and school. The current catchment school is far closer.
These are all things we consider as parents when relocating.
I believe that historical catchment areas should remain in place. If over
subscribed, schools already allocate places to those living nearest ('as the
crow flies'). Changes could also affect house prices in some areas.
40
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Appendix C
Property prices.
Too much
change.
Restricts school
choice
Road safety
Road safety
School change.
Property prices.
We are in the Corfe Hills pyramid which has been very unsettling with the
recent consultation on the Corfe hills age of transfer. Too much is happening
at once, the system has worked for years and works successfully in other
locations and should be left alone. People purchase houses in a specific area
and this change could cause a lot of bad feeling and devalue properties.
My [child] is currently in a Dorset County Council school which is within a
pyramid. She is due to change to a middle school within that pyramid at Year
5. If the current system is changed by Poole, Dorset County council will
remove the pyramid system and we are then left with only one choice of school
based on distance. This is due to the fact that many of the 'middle' schools in
poole are in fact Junior schools and change from primary to Junior/middle at
year 3. The potential is that we would not get our one choice of school even by
distance and we would be left with nowhere to send our [child] since there
would be no spaces at any other junior/middle school in Poole. Even if there
was room at the junior/middle school it would potential put her in the position of
being educationally disadvantage since she is coming from a primary school
level instead of having two years of middle school education.
There are properties around Lytchett Drive in Broadstone that may find
Hillbourne First School as the nearest based upon walking route.
This route however would involve crossing multiple roads, including the very
busy Broadstone Way with no crossing patrol assistance. Particularly in view of
the accident rate on the Broadstone Way this route is not an acceptable option.
The current catchment school for Lytchett Drive is Broadstone First School and
this can be reached whilst walking without crossing any roads, which provides
a safe route and envirmonment for first school aged children.
There has been no consideration as to how this will impact those resident in
Lytchett Drive. If catchment areas are to be removed then the closest school
would be Hillbourne in walking distance. By car, which the majority of people
will use especially in winter months, is actually a lot further!! Has anyone
bothered to note that children as young as 5 yrs old will be having to cross
several main roads including Broadstone Way which a 13 yr old has only days
ago recently had a near fatal accident on due to the crossing between Lytchett
Road and Northbrook Road. If catchment areas were to be removed it will be
an extreme neglect of our young children due to putting their safety at risk and
one that I fail to expect any of the first schools have even considered.
Worried about my child missing out on a place at our preferred school.
Could de-value our property if a less desirable school were put in our
catchment area
41
Springdale First School and
Broadstone First School
(Shared Area)
Broadstone Middle
School
Hillbourne School
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Springdale First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Appendix C
School will
change
We live in Merley in a shared catchment for Broadstone and Allenborne Middle
Schools. Based on distance my children would be going to Broadstone Middle
School, however it has a terrible Ofsted Report and I would much rather send
my children to Allenborne (my first choice).
Merley First School
several reasons
The proposed change is too soon.
Courthill Infant School
The proposed changes are unlikely to resolve issues if certain schools being
over subscribed.
The consultation has not been sufficiently widely advertised
The effect of the proposed changes is not sufficiently known to allow
respondents to fully consider the effect of the proposals. e.g. a plan of the
revised catchment arrears has not been made available.
An assessment of other non-education issues must be taken into account.
We believe that the changes will affect those children who are currently in
Reception who are due to transfer to a Junior School in 2016 more than it will
children starting at First School in 2016 or earlier. As parents we made a
choice of First School based on education through to Secondary Level and
assumed that transfer to Junior School would be consistent with friendship
groups formed in the early years. As parents of a child born in August and
therefore very young for the year the most important thing for us when it comes
to Junior School will be that our [child] is able to move with friends within a
secure setting.
If these proposed changes has been based data from children due to start
school in 2017 why not wait until 2017 to make the changes thus having no
impact on children already in the school system?
As it is likely most schools will soon become academies why make these
changes before a full consultation has taken place on this?
We believe that distance will not solve the issues experienced in the schools
which are currently oversubscribed.
Please consider those of us with children currently in reception who are going
42
Broadstone Middle
School and
Allenborne Middle
School (Shared
Area)
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Appendix C
to be so badly affected by this proposed change and are not in the position to
rent/buy close to their school of choice, it already feels somewhat that if you
can afford to buy in a certain area you can get the best schools, this will only
get worse with houses on roads closer to the perceived "best" schools
becoming more and more expensive creating private education through the
back door almost.
Finally we feel that surely your main concern should be to improve all schools
within Poole to ensure parents do not feel under pressure to choose between a
few very good schools.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Siblings
Siblings
Siblings,
oversubscribed
We currently live in the catchment area for Baden Powell and my [child] is due
to start there in September 2014, we have a 2nd [child] who will start there in
2016 and would therefore like them and need them to attend the same school
and do not want catchment areas or siblings criteria to be removed as it would
be unreasonable for the council to expect children and their siblings to attend
different schools.
It could potentially mean our children not going to the same school.
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Springdale First School and
Broadstone First School
(Shared Area)
Broadstone Middle
School
We currently have 2 children at poole high. If catchments were to change then
our third child would have to go to corfe hills. We do not wish for them to go
there . It's more difficult to get there on public transport than to poole high. I do
not drive so it would be harder.I know on a map the distance is shorter but
shorter is not always easiest. Corfe hills is over subscribed now, it would
means all children from waterloo going there.
Hillbourne School
43
Appendix C
Siblings. Road
safety,
Congestion
The premise of the proposal is to better apply school availability to the local
population and the consultation document references that some authorities
already run a similar system. The major floor in the proposed system seems to
me to to maintain the sibling preference. The likely behaviours that this will
drive is parents renting close to a preferred school option for a year and then
moving away after their first child is admitted. This is a behaviour which has
been witnessed in some parts of London, for example, Greenwich. In some
areas this has made the effective catchment for a first child less than 150
yards.
Not only does this mean that the school is less the heart of the community but
also has more tangible disadvantages, namely the likely increase in distances
travelled to get to school with both the further afield siblings being transported
in but also the currently in catchment first time applicants who now do not get a
place at their local school travelling further afield.
This will result in more car journeys negatively impacting:
Local pollution levels and the wider environment
Road safety at a time when children are travelling to and from school
The relationship between schools and their neighbours as school traffic clogs
up surrounding roads.
Any system must ensure that the school serves the immediate local
community. The abolition of the sibling preference together with the abolition of
catchment areas would also do this however the practical considerations likely
make this a less satisfactory solution than maintenance of the current system
with as necessary reviews of catchment boundaries.
44
Springdale First School
Broadstone Middle
School
Appendix C
Stress
Uncertainty
Uncertainty
Uncertainty,
unfair
Young children need the security of knowing which school they will go to. A
calculation based on distance will leave parents stressed and nervous about
which school their child will be offered a place at. Children will undoubtedly
pick up on this and therefore start school feeling apprehensive, rather than
having had their school discussed with them many times over. Open
discussion and security of which school a pupil will attend will ease tension for
them and make them enjoy starting school.
I believe that although the current system has some issues people in the main
know where they stand. Under the proposed new system there is a strong
element of chance as the applicants in a certain area (closest to a school) may
change from one year to the next. I also believe that this will cause
considerable disruption and the issues (that I am aware of) will still remain.
No way of telling us whether we would be likely to get a place for our child at
the school we are currently in the catchment area for as there have been no
specified distances from schools that would guarantee admission.
We have moved to the area partly based on the school catchment and
therefore would feel let down and out of pocket if we were to be cheated of a
place. We would consider legal action for loss of house value as removal of
catchment areas WILL result in the reduction of house prices and the cost to
Poole economy would be significant.
The current system, which we have all adapted to live by, provides more
certainty that a child living within a defined area will be granted a place at a
given school. The boundaries of a distance-based system will fluctuate each
year based on the numbers of primary age children.
This might be good for the school or the council as service providers but it
leaves the parents in limbo. We need to know that our child will get in if we
move to a certain street.
We have just moved house and, like many parents, were careful to stay within
the catchment area of our preferred school for our [child] While this involved
some sacrifice it was worth it as our [child] now has a place. However, there is
no guarantee that our younger [child] will also gain a place in coming years
under a distance based system, especially as we're toward the edge of the
catchment area.
Schools should be adapted/expanded to meet the needs of the local
community - the community should not be adjusted to meet the needs of the
school. We have all played by the rules which Poole council has set so I feel it
is unfair if the goalposts are now moved. Thank you.
45
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Appendix C
Unfair if in
catchment
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Courthill Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Will change
school
I think it is totally unfair to the young families who have moved into the area
deliberately to be in the catchment area for Lilliput School for their young
children or future children. Suggest that this should be a fazed in approach
and should be exempt for current young families who are in current catchment
specifically for the purpose of their young children
I live on Penn Hill Ave. We attend church every Sunday. Going to a Church of
England school is very important to me. Looking at the map, Lilliput really
hasnt got any other schools next to it. So people living on sandbanks road (by
the ferry) who have no other schools near them will get first choice. Lilliput is a
very popular school. It will end up the well off/rich only going there weather
they are Christian or not. Where do we send our children and get in if we want
a Church of England school? Also be able to walk to school without driving
miles.
I think change the catchment area will be best.
We are currently in catchment for Courthill- about 0.5 miles and plan to send
our [child] there in Sept 2016. If catchments are removed, and families apply
who are currently just out of catchment, they may be nearer and so reduce our
chances of getting in.
My grandchild lives in the catchment area for Canford Heath Infant and Junior
school and they would like [them] to attend this school which may not be the
closest to their home based on the new proposal.
We are on the edge of Courthill catchment and feel it will put us into Silvan if
they change.
Will change
school
Because I am concerned you would not get a place at the school you wish
your child to go to.
Old Town Infant School and
Nursery
Will change
school
We currently live in our preferred catchment area. If catchment areas were
abolished their would be a great possibility that our child would be allocated to
a school outside of the Corfe Hills Pyramid if our closest school were
oversubscribed. This is of particular concern to us as we currently live within a
10 minute walk of Corfe Hills High School and as far as we are aware if we
were allocated our next closest school, this school normally feeds into Poole
High School, a 30 minute bus ride away. Also we feel strongly that social and
personal development could be severely affected if childhood friendships built
over a number of years are not allowed to flourish in the school environment,
which would inevitably happen if children are sent to different schools at 9
years old merely because of where their home is.
Springdale First School
Want to attend
C of E school,
Sandbanks
issue,
oversubscription
Will change
school
Will change
school
46
Hillbourne School
Lilliput CE VC Infant School
Baden-Powell And
St Peter's CE Junior
School
Oakdale Junior
School
Broadstone Middle
School
Appendix C
Will change
school, other,
stress
Will change
school, Would
affect properties
on catchment
boundaries
Would affect
properties on
catchment
boundaries
I live in poole road but have a postcode of bh12. my [child] is currently in the
catchment area for lilliput. if you change it so that it's nearest distance school, I
will be putting my [child] in a school I'm not happy with.i can't afford to move as
I'm a single mother so there is no way I can relocate to lilliput. this will affect
the poorer people of poole who perhaps don't live in the best area. if they wish
to get their child into a school which is in a better area,this won't be possible
with the new system.
If a school is oversubscribed you could be refused simply because you live
further away. Distance is a criteria anyway even with catchment boundaries.
Areas with several schools might have properties which currently fall in a
different catchment area to the school which they are closer to which in turn
will impact on those properties which are further away from the school that they
are currenltly within catchment for.
Bishop Aldhelm’s Church of
England VA Primary School
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
We feel that the current system works in the greater majority of cases and such
feel that the places that this does apply to, should stay with the catchment
policy.
Properties close to council boundaries would be adversely affected by the
removal of the catchment areas.
Broadstone First School
Broadstone Middle
School
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Appendix C
Different Options
Table B3: 9 people explained which alternative option they would prefer and the reasons for it, as
shown in the table below.
Different Option
Reason
This is the bit which concerns me: Admissions
authorities can consider introducing a system of
ranking to ensure those who live in areas not near any
school are prioritised for a place at their closest school.
If I knew this wasn't the case with Poole, I would think
it a great idea, but if [this is implemented] think it would
be a disaster
Distance only would work better as long as preference is
given to children who live nearer the schools, not further
away which could very easily cause mayhem in this area
if, got example, there is a year where Sandbanks has a
high proportion of children starting filling up places apt
Lilliput and BP, meaning people who live in Lilliput
wouldn't get places and have to drive past schools they
would normally be able to walk to.
Because a simple distance from school criterion simply
creates circular catchment areas which will exclude
houses outside the circles unfairly.
I believe removing catchment areas would create
uncertainty and extra difficulties for parents. Having three
children at three different schools (both grammars and my
nearest middle school), I find it hard to co-ordinate their
various needs, due to a lack of "joined-up" thinking and
poor communication between schools in the area. (For
example inconsistencies within pyramid schools regarding
syllabus, no co-ordination of inset days.) Removing
catchment areas would only add to the complications,
parents would not be able to plan ahead (in terms of child
care needs, ability to rely on school buses etc.)
The potential for people who live close to a school would
appear illogical!
It does not help us with distance because of sea
Catchment review, i.e. The discarded option.
If the current catchment areas are not fit for purpose
then they could be re-drawn say every 10 years?
Based on distance from school, but closest to school
taking priority
An option to take into account sandbanks area that has
no other schools nearby and yet would be further if
distance was taken into account which is unfair as
there is a lot of sea in area
Change catchments only for schools not in their own
catchment
Change/amend the schools that are not in their
catchment but keep schools which are well located as
they are.
Remove catchment areas and replace with criteria
based on distance in 5 years time
If the council works on a distance from school policy
for admissions, then nobody will ever know from year
to year whether they will get into their chosen school.
Logical conclusion to the issue. As the catchments have
been in place so long communities have migrated to the
catchments in order to get good education for their
children. The schools should be invested in to cope with
larger numbers of pupils. Changing the catchment area
will not affect the over subscription as this has occurred
due to increasing population
I believe a school should serve its community and this will
make sure that happens. However, many people have
already planned for the future in terms of catchments and
have moved to specific areas to ensure their children will
attend certain schools. They have often paid a premium
for their property. By delaying the change for 5 years, it
will ensure those who have young families can make
informed choices and decisions for future schooling
knowing all of the changes that will take place. I know
there are upset families near us who moved here
expecting to attend Lilliput Infant school in 2016 and 2017
which will be unlikely with the proposed changes. Had
they been given sufficient notice they could have had the
chance to make different choices.
I think the proposed suggestion will leave people
with a huge level of uncertainty regarding which
school their children are able to attend. Also their is
48
Appendix C
The catchment area will be constantly changing
depending on how many people apply that year. I think
changing the catchment area to take in to
consideration a larger application rate would make
more sense, if after all the children in catchment have
been offered places and there are still spaces in that
school available, then you offer places based on
distance.
a lot of wealth surrounding particular schools, such
as Lilliput- a lot of these people use the private
sector to educate their children, the catchment area
gives people further away from schools the chance
for their kids to have a great education despite the
fact that they don't own a multi-million pound home.
Other Written Submissions
Table B4: Six written submissions were received by Children, Young People and Learning Services.
The comments are provided in the table below.
Support
proposal?
Do not
support
proposal
Do not
support
proposal
Do not
support
proposal
Build more
schools
Support the
proposal
Support the
proposal
Reason
The trouble with catchments is that their very arbitrariness can make them unfair. We
live on the wrong side of the road for…..[removed to anonymise] One school [xxxx], is
xmeters from our front door yet we are outside the catchment area. How about
catchment zones, overlapping circles on the map to retain the feeling of local
community? This would be just one factor in choosing children's school placement.
I am deeply concerned regarding the change in school catchment areas, we paid a
premium to live in xxxxx Road and I feel that the price of my house will drop
significantly
With regards to the council's proposal to get rid of all school catchments, we would like
to register our opposition under the current proposed time scales. We planned the
purchase of our house for the past 10 years, saving up for a deposit. The purchase
went through in 2011, our son was born in 2012 making him eligable for allocation in
2015 for 2016 admission. Under the council's proposal's, his intake year will be
affected, and our catchment changed. We feel penalised for our financial planning and
for planning for our son's education under the current exisiting council guidelines. It
would seem to us that a lead time of 5 years should be implemented before changes
are made. We [have responded to the consultation] and are now registering our
opposition in writing.
I am writing to present my views on the school catchment area proposal to remove the
catchment area. I agree that distance from your intended school is the fairest option. I
also appreciate, that not everyone will find this fair, and there will always be someone
who is just outside the area will not be successful. As there is too greater a demand
on limited primary school places, the answer is to build more schools.
We live on xxxxxx Road and think it's a good idea to remove catchment areas for
schools. Distance from school seems fairer and best. It would be beneficial for those
schools removing catchments to have 'sibling' higher on their priority list for anyone
who will end up out of catchment when the new scheme takes over.
I think it’s a very good idea to remove catchment areas. At the moment parents have
very little choice over their children's school other than to move house. This is not
always an option in an expensive area like the south coast. Removing catchment
areas would not only give parents more choice, it would be fairer and would
encourage parents to be involved with their children's education
49