MPs Call for Sutton's School Places for Sutton's Pupils

3.47.03pm GMT Tue 26th Jan 2010

Sutton MPs Tom Brake and Paul Burstow spoke in a debate in Parliament last week on Sutton's Schools for Sutton's Pupils.

MP for Carshalton and Wallington Tom Brake, who secured the debate, told Government Minister Iain Wright that although this was a long running issue, which Tom first raised in 2001 it was one that was still as pertinent as ever.

Tom told the Minister about the many 'outstanding' schools in Sutton but stated that many families were faced with limited choice due to the rigorous selection process at many local schools.

Speaking in the debate Tom stated that, 'The statistics on children educated in the London Borough of Sutton who come from other boroughs show that in some selective schools, just a quarter of the year 7 intake comes from within the borough, with three quarters coming from outside of borough.'

Both MPs argued that the selection processes should be changed by law to favour local pupils. Tom also raised the issue of the land needed for the new Stanley Park High School which at present has still not been sold to the borough by the PCT. The Minister told Tom that he would write to the PCT to discuss the sale of the land.

After the debate Tom said, 'I am disappointed but not surprised with the lack of understanding from the Government over this issue. The fact of the matter is most local parents have no choice when they come to choose a secondary school for their children and until the law is changed neither they, nor the local council, can do anything to improve the situation.'

Paul Burstow said, "Local children deserve a fair deal when it comes to getting a place in a local school. That is why I pressed the Minister to change the law to allow some flexibility which will help parents in Worcester Park and elsewhere in the borough."