PARENTS in Leigh have attended the first of a number of meetings to discuss their views on the controversial proposal to change school catchment areas in the town

The proposal, which raised concerns for parents of prospective primary school pupils, would see school catchment areas changed to address problems of oversubscription of some popular schools. The changes could for instance see children living north of Western Road go to Leigh North Street School rather than the current West Leigh School.

The proposed changes are now being discussed in small group sessions to which parents have been invited to offer their views on two “models” .

Model A proposes shrinking the catchment areas of West Leigh, Leigh North Street and Chalkwell Hall and increasing that of Darlinghurst Primary and Eastwood Primary and moving the borders of Blenheim and Fairways.

Model B proposes removing current catchment areas and creating a “super catchment’” for West Leigh Schools, Leigh North Street Primary School, Chalkwell Hall Schools and Darlinghurst School. It would be replaced by a “shared priority space” with a central point which would measure the distance from a child’s home as opposed to the distance from the school building itself.

Deborah Dewhurst, 47 of Southsea Avenue, Leigh has a child at Leigh North Street and is one of a group of parents who have been talking to the council.

She said: “With our little group, we have been working closely with the council.

“We were supporting and still are supporting Model B purely because it is not a drastic change from what we have now.”

Melissa Calvy of Dundonald Drive, a parent of a Chalkwell Hall student, said: “The council have already made their proposals, this consultation seems to be more about us having the chance to ask questions and present our point of view to the council”.

I do not really feel I can support either model A or B, though I prefer Model B because it at least gives us a chance of getting our children into our current catchment school.”

James Courtenay, councillor responsible for children and learning, said: “We are using these sessions to listen to all views as this process is about ensuring we involve everyone who wants to express their opinion, encouraging people to have their say and developing a fair and balanced approach to admissions and catchments areas that is fit for the future.”

After yesterday’s session there are still two more to be held by the council before a public consultation on Monday September 18 from 10am to 2pm. For full details go to southend.gov.uk