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Mum Forced To Quit Job As Daughter’s School Run Will Take FOUR HOURS Each Day

In the aftermath of this year’s National Offer Day, earlier this month, one mum has got a tough decision to make

Any parent will know that getting a child into the school you want isn’t all that easy.

A huge number of British schools are over-subscribed, meaning that it’s often tough to get your tot into your top choice or the closest school to you – something that Lynne Briggs has discovered the hard way.

Lynne and Charlotte are facing a very long school run each day [SWNS]
Lynne and Charlotte are facing a very long school run each day [SWNS]



Briggs only applied for one junior school for her seven-year-old daughter, Charlotte, as it was a mere 150 yards from their front door.

Plus, Briggs believed Broomhill Infants, in Sheffield, where Charlotte was previously, was a feeder school to Lydgate Juniors – hence only applying for the one.

But Charlotte didn’t yet in and has instead been offered a spot at a primary school over two miles away, which will add up to four hours of travelling each day for Briggs.  

The school run is so lengthy that Briggs is even considering giving up her job, because she wouldn’t have time to do it around the travelling.

“I have looked at bus timetables,” says Briggs. “I wouldn’t be able to drop Charlotte off at school and get into town for work. It would take an hour and five minutes each way twice a day.”

Lydgate Junior school refused Charlotte a place though she lives 150 yards away [SWNS]
Lydgate Junior school refused Charlotte a place though she lives 150 yards away [SWNS]



Briggs is planning to appeal the decision, saying, “I know that lots of parents are in similar positions but what is different here is that not only are we in catchment, we live as close to the school as possible. Parents park outside our house when dropping their children off.”

Of course, Briggs should have applied to three schools, which is the number that most councils advise parents to apply to.

With the sheer volume of children hoping to get into local schools it’s not always possible to get into the one nearest to you, and if you don’t have a second or a third choice then the council will automatically allocate you a school to attend. It’s best not to take anything for granted – including if you already have children at one school and are hoping to get a younger sibling in.

Jayne Ludlam, executive director of children, young people and families at Sheffield Council has commented on Briggs’ predicament, saying, “We do understand that it is difficult if a child cannot be offered a place at their preferred school.

“We always encourage parents to submit three preferences in case their first preference cannot be accommodated.”

If you’re starting to think about applying for a school space for your child, you can get all of the information you need from the Government’s website.

Since most local councils offer reception classes for four-year-old children, you should start thinking about primary schools when your tot turns three.  

Did you manage to get your child into the school you were hoping for? Let us know in the comments.

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