Education chiefs to review schools admissions policy after petition

A petition signed by 367 people was presented to Hartlepool Borough Council and called for the authority to review its admissions policy.

The petition stated that many children had been turned down for school places within their local neighbourhood last year and were sent out of their catchment area.

It added the allocation of primary school places should include attendance at a school’s nursery as part of the admissions criteria.

Parents say children who go to a nursery have gained confidence, trust, made new friends and most importantly, settled into the school.

The issue will be debated by the council’s Children’s Services Committee at 4pm on Tuesday in the civic centre.