A HORSHAM mother is urging parents to take the time to study the proposed school catchment area changes.
Caron Porritt, aged 38, of Comptons Lane is ‘incensed’ with the proposal which could mean her daughter may not be able to go to her first choice of school.
The proposals form part of West Sussex County Council’s annual consultation on admission arrangements.
The authority is consulting parents on a number of areas including a proposed change to the boundary line between the catchment areas of Kingslea and Heron Way primary schools in Horsham.
The top and bottom of Comptons Lane will be in the catchment for Kingslea in Kings Road, whereas the middle will be Heron Way primary school, Heron Way.
Any changes would have an impact on September 2013 admissions and would affect Mrs Porritt’s three-year-old daughter Daisy.
Mrs Porritt was hoping that any catchment change would mean her daughter would have more chance of getting into Heron Way.
She argues the changes affecting Comptons Lane are ‘ridiculous’. She said: “Forget postcode lottery, this is a same road lottery!”
A frustrated Mrs Porritt said that if she stands at the end of her road and looks across the roundabout she can see the houses that are on the same road but would be in a different school’s catchment area.
The consultation period is due to end on March 1.
Mrs Porritt said: “Even for those families still outside the proposed new catchment area - but who now find their homes are closer to the catchment boundary line, like me, this should not be taken as reassurance that they’re now living closer so should have an easier time of getting their child into their desired school outside of catchment.”
Increasing the catchment reduces the chances of children outside getting into that particular school.
Sue Garner, pupil admission manager, has said that ‘the estimated number of children for 2013 admission suggests that Kingslea Primary School is likely to be oversubscribed with applicants from its catchment area’.
A meeting explaining the catchment review is being held at Kingslea Primary School on Tuesday January 31 at 7pm.
The full consultation can be seen at www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions and there is an online response form to submit views.
For a printed copy contact 0845 075 1007.