Don't split us up, plead brothers!

Aug 15 2008 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A FURIOUS father yesterday appealed for common sense after being told that his two young sons can’t attend the same Perth Primary School.

In a council decision branded “ridiculous”, five-year-old Tom Forbes from Kinfauns will be sent to Kinnoull Primary school, while his big brother, seven-year-old Scott, crosses town to attend Viewlands.

Dad Graham, an IT Consultant, said: “This is a ridiculous situation. Both schools finish at exactly the same time and somehow we have to collect a seven-year-old from Viewlands on one side of Perth and a five-year-old from Kinnoull on the other.

“It is going to be a logistical nightmare. Where’s the common sense in this decision?”.

Young Scott was born with Downs Syndrome and, on the advice of the council, his mum and dad – Graham and Caroline – choose for Viewlands as best for his special needs.

This year they put a placement request in for wee brother Tom to start at the same school, rather than Kinnoull where they live in the catchment for.

“It made sense for the two boys to go to the same school and we understood that because we already had a child in the school any sibling’s request would be weighted to take that into account,” explained Graham.

But the council turned down their application, and subsequent appeal, saying it had filled classes.

Upsetting the parents even further has been the discovery that other children, outwith the catchment area for Viewlands, were accepted into the school.

And they have even heard of parents who rented property within the Viewlands’ catchment area to get a postal address which would secure youngsters entry into the school.

But Graham explained, transport issues aside, it is ultimately the two boys who lose out.

Scott may have to have to give up his after school activities – special needs yoga, swimming and gym – and Tom, who had been excited about going to school with his big brother, especially disappointed.

A local authority spokeswoman said the council would not comment on individual cases. But she explained: “The council is dealing with an increasing number of placing requests for schools and it is not always possible to accommodate all of these.

“All placing requests are assessed on their individual circumstances and in line with the council’s school placing policy.

“We are satisfied that our procedures are robust overall in relation to placing requests,” the official said.

“Parents are advised of their right of appeal to the sheriff and it is at their discretion whether they choose to exercise that right.

“The chief executive will be responding directly to the parents in relation to the complaint made to her,” she added.