Parents demand more school places

Some families are considering keeping their children away from school

Parents have formed a group campaigning for more primary school places in part of Brighton after more than 200 children did not get a chosen place.

More than half of the children, all aged under five, live in the same part of the city - the BN3 area of Hove.

Some parents said they faced three-hour journeys as a result, while others have thought about keeping their child away from school next term.

Brighton council said 60 extra spaces in the BN3 area had been found.

The parents' action group is calling on the local authority to build a new school.

We are continuing to look at ways of creating more places Di Smith, Brighton council

Di Smith, director of children's services for Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "We recognise the unprecedented rise in the numbers of children requiring primary school places in central Hove, which is why we have taken decisive action like creating 60 more places at Davigdor and West Blatchington schools.

"We are continuing to look at ways of creating more places and have stated before our desire to provide additional school places in the area."

The council said statistics showed that across Brighton and Hove, 91% of children were placed in one of their three preferred reception classes.

In the BN3 area of Hove, 84% of children were placed in one of their three preferred reception classes.

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