Thank you to reader Stuart Brand for your enquiry regarding our admissions of pupils who travel into school via bus (Gazette, July 11).

To make clear Gable Hall School, part of the Ortu Federation of schools, operates a strict admissions policy, which is published on our website hassenbrook.

org.uk/Gable-HallAdmission-Policy As you may know, Ortu Gable Hall is among the larger secondary schools in the borough and welcomes up to 272 new pupils each academic year.

This number is called its Pupil Admission Number (commonly referred to as its PAN).

Our policy - which must be published at least a year in advance of receipt of pupil applications - is strictly adhered to and is administered by the Admissions Team at Thurrock Council, who coordinate all admissions for parents seeking places in all of Thurrock’s schools.

An appeals process, paid for by our trust, is available for any parents or guardians who may need further scrutiny of the implementation of this policy and is held offsite with our governors and members of the public.

Being located close to the north-eastern border of Thurrock (distance as the crow flies) means that Gable Hall does accept pupils who may live out of Thurrock (so-called “out of our catchment” area).

This is only applicable under the strict criteria of the published admissions policy above.

We trust you find this helpful.

CERI EVANS Headteacher - Gable Hall School, Corringham