One of the scariest moments in a young life is the first day at 'big' school. For most youngsters, the trauma is cushioned by the comforting companionship of friends who have gone through primary school together and all move up together.

Not so for 11-year-old Tom Shaw who stands to begin the next phase of education alone.

He is the only one of 60 pupils in his year at Huntington Primary School who will not be going on to neighbouring Huntington Secondary School.

Tom's family lives just outside the Huntington School catchment area and an appeal was unsuccessful. Tom is already fretting. His doctor has written a letter to the education authority warning Tom's health could suffer if he is separated from his friends.

The council must have a system to manage admissions. But that system should also be flexible.

A council spokesman today blamed the decision on the independent appeals panel - made up of a councillor and lay people - and said Government guidelines did not mention friends as a factor for admission.

The family can now take the issue to a further appeal. Surely the appeals procedure can find some way of accommodating Tom, especially when medical advice is supporting his case.

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