Comment

Before any permanent solution to the problem of available school places at Ilkley Grammar is found, it will be necessary to try to establish what is going on in the minds of education officials. Parish councillors have been pondering the issue for a long time, certainly 12 months before the morning a few short weeks ago when some Addingham parents almost choked on their cornflakes.

Some time ago, acting on local rumours that Addingham children were at risk of losing out, parish councillors contacted the school and education officials for reassurance. They were told that there were forthcoming changes to admission procedures but none that they need worry about.

Children from Silsden, Skipton and beyond who were enrolled by the parents at Addingham Primary with the intention of getting a place at Ilkley Grammar would no longer be guaranteed to achieve their ambition. It seemed like a sensible application of the rules at the time. If Ilkley Grammar was oversubscribed then it didn't seem fair that children from miles away were able to grab places. There was no hint of the bombshell that would be dropped in the near future, although at the time officials must have known that in the near future they would run out of places.

With hindsight it could be argued that a more cynical attitude from parish councillors might have been appropriate. Instead of accepting that explanation on face value and trusting the education officials to play fair, it might have saved everyone a great deal of anguish if they had demanded a definitive promise for the near future that Addingham kids would not be the next set to lose out no matter what the circumstances.

Perhaps when the whole sorry mess is sorted out, education officials should be made to inscribe and date their promises on the attractive stone markers set at the limits of the village. It may be the only way to make them their keep their promises.

12:37pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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