AN angry father is looking to form a pressure group after his daughter's appeal for entry to Morecambe High School was turned down.

George Fox of Torrisholme explained that his daughter Jennifer was "distressed" because the authorities had refused her permission to go to the secondary school of her choice.

"Of 70 appeals only nine have been successful," explained Mr Fox, a former principal at Victoria College.

"The appeal panel were all men aged about 55 or over... hardly representative and hardly empathic with worried parents and children," he said before claiming that logistically Morecambe High School was equipped to cope with another 30 pupils.

"They are just playing the numbers game, they have to fill spaces at schools like Skerton High and their decisions seem to be totally arbitrary probably based on geography and nothing to do with individual merits."

Despite this setback Mr Fox intends to carry on the fight and aims to form a pressure group. He will be inviting other concerned parents to contact him with a view to organising meetings with MP Geraldine Smith among others.

Mr Fox describes the response so far from county councillor Nicki Penney and Miss Smith as "disappointing".

"Education chiefs knew that this year's intake was one of the highest ever and they've had five years to prepare for it and have done nothing it seems," he said.

"I know how education works and I've a lot of time for the head and staff at places like Skerton High - they've got a huge job to do but at the end of the day I am left with the option of sending my daughter to one of the worst 50 schools, in terms of educational achievement, in the country and that's simply not good enough."

To contact George Fox telephone him on (01524) 381828.

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