Mums upset at Brightlingsea Colne School choice - 50 miles away

Devastated parents say children who have failed to secure a place at local schools now face a huge commute.

Mum-of-three Misha Roughley, 30, of Waterside Road, Bradwell, was shocked when she discovered ten-year-old daughter Amelie was being sent all the way to the Colne Community School in Brightlingsea – more than 40 miles away.

The closest options for children living in the Dengie would be Ormiston Rivers in Burnham, followed by Plume Academy in Maldon.

Mrs Roughley said: “The route by bus would take her three and a half hours by public transport.

“Because of the bureaucracy, if I turn down Brightlingsea, the county council are under no obligation to find another school.

“It’s a real shame that, in this area, our children do not have access to the right choice of secondary education.

LONG COMMUTE: Amelie Roughley, ten, with mum Misha. Amelie is facing travelling from Bradwell to Brightlingsea for school

“It’s such a cut-throat business around here – you’ve just got to get what you’re given.

“I would say to any families moving out here to think twice because my daughter’s lived here her whole life and she does not automatically have a space at her secondary school.

“My daughter goes to a little school. There’s only 23 in her class at St Cedd’s.

“I haven’t told her she has to go to Brightlingsea just yet.

“It’s so jarring for her and she’s only little.”

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Mrs Roughley has complained to MP John Whittingdale, Essex County Council, and the Department for Education.

Mum-of-four Victoria Nottage, 36, from Bradwell, said her 11-year-old daughter Ruby, who also goes to St Cedd’s, would be going to the Colne as well.

She said: “It’s an absolute joke. It works out at 500 miles of travelling per week.

Victoria Nottage (right) with her daughter Ruby

“People wouldn’t do it for work, so expecting an 11-year-old to do it for school is unreal.

“My daughter is so upset. She’s said she’ll end up with no friends.

“If she has no school, I’ll have no choice but to relocate.

“I’ve got three other children. I would have to pull them out of the school and look for another school for them.

“People from other areas in the Dengie have contacted me about this. I’ve had someone say they live in Steeple but have been given Rochford.

“We’ve got no choice but to fight it.”

County Hall says 91.15 per cent of children have been offered their first or second preference schools this year.

But figures show 3.03 per cent of 16,399 primary school pupils – almost 500 – were not offered any of their preferences, so have been offered a place at the nearest school with space.

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “We are aware that a number of parents in the Dengie area have not obtained a place at their preferred schools and it is always regrettable where this is the case.

“We understand the concerns of parents in the area.

“We are currently reviewing the situation and are in discussions about potential solutions to provide additional capacity. We will update parents accordingly once any next steps have been agreed.”