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CHAMBER TALKS: Parents meet councillors and officials in the council chamber

PARENTS of 22 children denied reception places at Chafford Hundred schools confronted education chiefs at Civic Offices.

Conservative councillor with Portfolio for Education, Mike Revell stepped outside the offices to meet the protestors and invited them into the council chambers where Director of Children, Education and Families, Julien Kramer chaired a discussion with the aggrieved parents.

Mr Kramer explained that there were long term plans to extend and build more schools in the area but in the short term, they could not expand class sizes or break admissions policy.

He said: "93% of parents in Thurrock get the first school of their choice."

During the discussion, resident and former Lib-Dem councillor Earnshaw Palmer said: "There is a simple short term solution: they could place a demountable classroom in either of the three schools and teach the children there."

Mr Kramer said: "I will write a report which should be ready by August. But due processes including consultation with headteachers must take place."

Group spokesman David Darrell-Lambert said: "We are pleased that the council have listened to us, even though we had to take such direct action. We hope that we will now see action and not just be placated with words."

Chafford resident Lucie Vickers said: "A four mile round trip doesn't sound far but there are green and health issues here. I want my children to walk to school and I don't want my car polluting Thurrock."

Mr Kramer did remind parents of their responsibilities to educate their children.

He said: "If you have been offered places and do not take them up, then that is a completely different problem."

9:20am Saturday 21st July 2007

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