Parents rejoice at catchment U-turn

Following a lengthy consultation with residents about the proposed changes to the town’s school catchments, Southend Council have dropped the plans.

The change has come after a report to the council’s cabinet showed there to be no evidence of need to change the catchments for schools south of London Road.

Among the happy parents was Chalkwell Hall mum, Melissa Calvy, 43, of Dundonald Drive.

She said: “I am delighted that our views have been listened to and that the council have decided that no change is required at the] present time.

“Although the current system isn’t perfect for everybody, the proposed changes would have negatively affected hundreds of families and split our community.”

Following the agreement there will be no change for the catchments at West Leigh, Leigh North Street, Chalkwell Hall infant and junior schools, a full report will be filed on admissions arrangements for September 2019 will be considered by the cabinet next week.

Carole Mulroney, councillor for Leigh, regarded the news as a major success for parents in the area.

She said: “Parents can breathe a sigh of relief and give themselves a well earned pat on the back.

“This has been a highly emotive, drawn out process and has caused untold worry for many parents in the areas affected.

“To now be told that the figures have changed adds to the feeling of frustration and annoyance that they have all had to go through in this gruelling process.

“All I can say is I am delighted for all the parents who worked so hard to prove their case whichever school they represented and thank all those who entrusted me to voice their concerns over the last few months.

“All I can say is I am delighted for all the parents who worked so hard to prove their case.

A Southend Council spokesman told the Echo the council are legally obliged to consult on school catchments every seven years.

The consultation was either set to take place in 2017 or 2018.