As Kingston residents all our lives we were shocked to find out that our daughter has been turned down for a place at three chosen schools in our area.
We moved to central Kingston six years ago (grew up in Surbiton/New Malden) because of the convenience of work and local amenities we never dreamed we would have a problem when it came to applying to schools.
We have applied for St Luke's Primary School in Elm Road, which is a Church of England school, and supplied them with a letter from our local clergy (not theirs).
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We live in catchment of the school and walking would take me and our daughter eight minutes door-to-door. The other two schools are a little further but still within a good distance to walk.
The only schools I have been offered are King Athelstan (25 minutes' walk) and the Mount Primary (a bus journey).
I do not drive and do not see why, when we are always being told to save the environment, I should be made to use transport or other means just to get my daughter to school.
While I understand that you can't always get what you want, this whole process has been such a let down for our school system and local borough.
Property is being built everywhere you look and is often aimed at first-time buyers/families, but my question is; where will these children moving into the area go to school?
Are there secret plans for new schools to be built and, if so, why are we not being told of this?
I have been advised to wait now until the end of May to see if my daughter's position on the waiting lists has improved.
If not, then I do not know what we will do.
I am not too sure if you have had any other letters from other anxious parents but it would be interesting to find out.
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