Rowen Helps Students Start New Term

Rochdale's MP Paul Rowen has taken action to make sure that six children from Rochdale gained their places at Haslingden High School in Rossendale after Lancashire County Council performed a dramatic u-turned over the summer to try and deny the children a place at the high school.

The children, six pupils at Healey Primary School, were offered places at the high school by telephone back in June. Both the parents and the children even attended an Induction Day and parents evening at the high school and received letters confirming their start date and an information pack relating to the high school.

However, the parents then received a shocking letter from Lancashire County Council advising that places were not available for their children at the high school due to the fact that the school had 'acted illegally in making offers.'

Mr Rowen was contacted by several concerned parents back in July and immediately took action by organising a meeting with Lancashire County Council's Director of Education after the parents first appeal against the decision was turned down.

Paul Rowen MP said, "Given the competition for school places and the stress this causes for parents, the actions of the high school and County Council in relation to these pupils was unacceptable. I am pleased that the months of hard work by these pupil's caring parents in conjunction with my staff have finally paid off. I hope that the pupils enjoy their time at Haslingden High and go on to great things."