Mum fights on to get son a place (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Mum fights on to get son a place

11:54am Thursday 22nd January 2004 in

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A MOTHER from London Colney who has been battling for nearly a year to be given a school place for her son has accused Hertfordshire County Council of apathy.

Mrs Sara Penny has been teaching her 12-year-old son Cole herself and sending him to a tutor since the council failed to allocate him a place at a school they chose in March.

The council told the family Cole would be the only child from the village to be sent to Onslow St Audrey's School in Hatfield which is under special measures to help it improve.

Despite an appeal, Cole has spent ten months without being taught in a school classroom or making friends in after-school clubs.

Mrs Penny, 39, said this week: "I just feel like there is not one person at the county council who gives a monkey's.

"Surely after nearly a year they could have found something done something.

"No-one has picked up the file and thought this is unfair and we must do all we can to help. They are ignoring us."

Mrs Penny said if it was not for her son's love of football and the fact he plays for London Colney Colts he would struggle to find a situation where he can meet other children.

Cole has been on the continuing interest lists for his first choice schools Sandringham and Beaumont since the council first rejected his mother's appeals.

Mrs Penny said that county councillor Robert Gordon said last year it would taker at least five years for Onslow St Audrey's to turn itself around. By that time Cole would be about to take A-levels.

Mrs Penny has now been told if she wants a secondary school place for Cole this year she has to apply with all the other children moving up from junior school.

"We just feel left behind," she said.

A spokesman for the county council's children, schools and families department said: "If a parent chooses to take her child out of school education then obviously that place will have to be filled.

"If that parent then wants to re-apply then the case will be treated on its merit like every other."

The spokesman added that there are places available at Francis Bacon School, but Mrs Penny has insisted Cole will not go there.