ONE of the most contentious issues for many parents in the borough is to receive special attention.

Education bosses have decided to focus on the admission of children to high schools of their choice following growing complaints.

In the past the secondary school attended by older siblings has had a significant influence in the allocation of places, but new criteria in recent years has changed this.

Parents are still allowed to express a preference for a particular school, but the local education authority can no longer guarantee a place at the school closest to the child's home if that has not been stated as a first choice.

Recently, members of Bury Council's lifelong learning and culture scrutiny and review panel have met to decide issues which they will concentrate on.

Top of the list was a review of transfers to high schools, followed by exclusions and access for the disabled into schools and cultural institutions.

These topics will now form the core of the panel's next meeting.