Protesters consider a new school demo
Controversial protest plans have resurfaced among parents opposed to changes to Caroline Chisholm School's admissions criteria.
Although the alterations to the top school's admissions policy have now been approved by the Local Education Authority (LEA), a group of opponents who want children from Grange Park to remain in the school's catchment area has suggested staging protest marches.
The protests were first mooted during a meeting in January, when 300 parents discussed driving to Roade and back on a Monday morning, inevitably causing chaos on the roads, particularly at junction 15 of the M1 motorway.
But after the admissions plans were approved last week, new protest leaflets have been issued to those objecting to the changes, which have reignited the debate.
Organiser Paul Ashton said on the "Keep Grange Park in Caroline Chisholm linked area" Facebook site: "Please note that the protest marches proposed on the leaflet can only go ahead subject to sufficient numbers.
"Please let people know this. This is not an anti Wootton march it is to show that Grange Park still believe that they are part of Caroline Chisholm School."
Last-minute changes to the new admissions system were implemented by Northamptonshire County Council when it was formally approved at a meeting last week as a result of lobbying by parents.
They included a delay to the start of the new linked areas, which will see Grange Park realigned with Roade School instead of Caroline Chisholm, from 2011 until 2013 to appease families with siblings wanting to go to the same school.
During the consultation period just over 50 per cent of the 1,000 people who responded supported the new arrangements, which the LEA says are vital if Caroline Chisholm, Roade and Abbeyfield Schools are to serve their linked areas effectively.
Several parents have however raised objections to the idea of hosting protest marches, which could now involve a walk through Wootton to Caroline Chisholm School.
One, Karen Davis, said: "I do not think we should be protesting outside Caroline Chisholm School - they are not the enemy. This will only create even more bad feeling between the communities."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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