A Basildon mother has vowed to take her fight to get her son into the school of her choice to the very top.

Sue Gilmartin is determined her 11-year-old son should not be the one to suffer at the hands of an unusual catchment area ruling.

If necessary she has said she will alert ombudsmen inspectors and write to Westminster about the situation.

Mrs Gilmartin lives in Vange Park Road, Vange - a home which has a Basildon address, postcode and telephone number.

However, her children's education is now under the control of neighbouring Thurrock local education authority.

She had hoped Kieran would follow in the footsteps of his older sister Stacey who attends Gable Hall School in Corringham - just a mile from the family home.

Revelations that catchment rearrangements now mean her son does not qualify for a place have left her furious.

Kieran is also devastated by the news he may instead have to attend a school as far away at South Ockendon, Aveley or Tilbury.

Mrs Gilmartin said: "I'm absolutely furious - I was definitely not under the impression the catchment area had been changed.

"There was no problem getting Stacey in to Gable Hall in 1995 and I wanted the same for Kieran."

Mrs Gilmartin has been more than pleased with Stacy's education at the school which ends this month.

She said: "Stacey became a prefect this year and has lined up a five year cadetship to become a nurse after she leaves.

"The social and moral standards of the school are high and the level of discipline is good, it has undoubtedly benefited Stacey.

"I have nothing but praise for Gable Hall and I was astonished when Kieran's application didn't meet the catchment requirements."

The new ruling could also spell problems for the continued education of Mrs Gilmartin's youngest daughter, nine-year-old Mercer.

Ros Cooper, principle admissions officer for Thurrock LEA, said: "Vange Park Road is an area that needs to be sorted out.

"There are very few children that live there so this problem rarely crops up. I have spoken to Mrs Gilmartin and she knows the situation - unfortunately nothing can be sorted out this year."

Battle for choice - Sue Gilmartin wants Kieran to go to the same school as sister Stacy

Picture: MIKE BELLENIE

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