Council bows to pressure over catchment areas

BCC said that this was because an unusually high number of boys had passed the test this year, and grammar schools in the area could not cope with the extra intake from their traditional catchment areas.
This left them facing long distances to travel to and from school and being separated from friends, and parish councillors in the villages vowed to lend their support to parents affected.
However, it has now been announced by BCC that John Hampden Grammar School in High Wycombe will extend its catchment area to include Gerrards Cross and Denham from September next year.
David Peters, chairman of Gerrards Cross parish council, said: "I think that this is very good news and it proves that the county council have listened to what we have said and the concerns of the parents.
"I think it is a good stop gap and will be of some comfort to parents next year, but I think that more needs to be done if we are to avoid this situation happening again.
"Ideally, I would like to see a review of the entire system, but that will obviously take longer."
Marion Claytion, cabinet member for achievement and learning at BCC who came under fire for the situation this year, said: "This decision has been taken to try to ensure that boys in Gerrards Cross and Denham can access one of their catchment schools. We remain committed to ensuring that every qualified Buckinghamshire child will be offered a place at a grammar school.
"Of course, this does not mean that every child can be guaranteed a place at their first preference school."