Parents in Addingham and Burley-in-Wharfedale are breathing a sigh of relief after their children were offered places at Ilkley Grammar School.

All students living in priority area one who applied to attend in September have been accepted alongside some in priority two and other areas.

In 2010, 18 children in the villages were initially refused a place until the school agreed to take in extra pupils. But lower numbers in year six mean fewer are being turned away, although there are still 11 appeals for places.

Bradford Council has been consulting on controversial proposals, including feeder schools, to alter admissions to the school. A report recommending the system is left unchanged is due to go before Bradford Council’s executive committee tomorrow.

Sue Colman, Bradford Council’s assistant director for learning services, confirmed 234 pupils who applied for Ilkley Grammar School were successful.

“A total of 15 pupils who listed Ilkley Grammar as their first preference school have been informed that they were not allocated a place. However, none of these 15 children reside within either of the priority areas for the school,” she added.

Head teacher Gillian James said she was relieved that numbers were manageable this year, but knew there was still no longer-term solution.

“With the instruction to take 23 extra Year 7 students last year, and the need for a further two portable classrooms, we could not have managed a similar situation this September,” she said. “I am pleased for all priority one families, but remain concerned that there will be further upset in future years.

“The problem hasn’t gone away, and there is no easy resolution despite recent consultation on a revision to the admissions policy.”