A MOTHER-OF-THREE is furious after a Colchester primary school accepted a new pupil when her son had been on its waiting list for a year.

Marie Fordham was told by education chiefs her four-year-old son Temoor could not attend Willow Brook Primary and Nursery School, in Barnardiston Road, because there was no room.

Mrs Fordham, 42, of Fairhead Road South, Colchester, wanted Temoor to attend the same school as his sisters, Annsa, nine, and Zaman, three.

But after a mix-up over his application, which Essex County Council said was late, the youngster was offered a place at Hazelmere Junior School, in Hawthorn Avenue – further from his home.

Mrs Fordham, who was told at an appeal in December there was no room at the school, was promised if a place became available, her son would be transferred.

She said she was horrified to discover a reception place had since been granted to another child.

She added: “I don’t understand how that child has got into the school straight away when my son has been on the waiting list for a year.

“I’m not happy about it at all. He lives round the corner. This child lives in High Woods.

“It’s not her fault. I just don’t understand it when he has been waiting so long.”

She said she had withdrawn her son from his own school in protest.

Mrs Fordham added: “We have been leaving the house at 8am and not getting home until 4.30pm. I don’t think it’s fair on him to have that journey.”

Joanna Newitt, headteacher at Willow Brook Primary and Nursery, said: “It’s absolutely, categorically, not the school’s decision.

“The places are allocated by Essex County Council’s learning and admissions department.

“As headteacher, I have no influence over that.

“I completely appreciate her plight. We are a community school.

“I understand the problem was caused because her application came in late.”

The Gazette contacted Essex County Council but no one was available to comment.