The group of parents in Hull are refusing to send their children to the schools allocated by the local authority and are providing pupils with lessons in a community centre.

The parents say that the places they have been offered for their children are at schools which have poor records for exams and that they would rather provide their own teaching.

Charlie Nicholls says the parents want the best for their children

The 13 pupils are being taught by parents, such as John Bovill, who has put his chemistry degree to use, but the 'school' is lacking specialists able to help with French or technology.

"We feel we've been let down by the education department. They have their children in the schools of their choice and we want the same. We want the best for our children," said parent Charlie Nicholls.

The local authority, Hull City Council, says that parents are free to appeal against the education authority's decision.

But the council faces a problem in having to balance demands for already over-subscribed successful schools with an overall surplus of places.

Disputes over school admissions have been increasing across the country, with appeals against decisions rising by 22% in the past two years.