Pupils told they can go to same Acomb school as older siblings

The youngsters were originally told they could not go to Acomb Primary School because there were insufficient places, and they faced being separated from their siblings and having to attend schools elsewhere.

Their parents told The Press recently how the decision had left the children deeply upset, and also presented severe practical problems, such as how to pick up two children at the same time at the end of the day from two different schools.

But now City of York Council has performed a U-turn and said all five can go to Acomb because there is enough “physical space” there to accommodate them.

The news has delighted parents including Kevin Blount, of Wetherby Road, whose four-year-old son, Matthew, will now be able to attend Acomb Primary with his seven-year-old brother, James. Mr Blunt said: “Our reaction is one of absolute relief that they will be able to go to school together, and we are very grateful to the local authority, the governors and the head, and also Councillor David Horton, who has been very supportive.” Kevin Hall, the council’s assistant director, adults, children and education, said today that due to an unprecedented increase in demand for places at Acomb Primary this year, five pupils with siblings at the school had initially been refused places, but the authority had worked closely with the families and the school to try to resolve the situation.

“In this case, because there was sufficient physical space at the school, we have been able to offer five further places,” he said. “The five pupils who have been offered places were the next five on the waiting list and no pupils have had to have their places withdrawn.”

He said the council was permitted to exceed the admission limit for a school if it had capacity to accommodate the pupils, without the need for the families to go through an appeal process.

He said the decision related only to Acomb Primary School.