A CONTROVERSIAL school admissions policy has been changed after it was found to penalise some children living in rural wards.

As the changes were approved this week for the 2012-13 academic year,borough councillors were told problems placing children in rural areas in nearby schools were unlikely to be repeated.

The council has altered its schools admission policy after the Schools' Adjudicator ordered it to devise a fairer way of allocating places.

The ruling came after an appeal by Sarah McAdam, whose son, George, was given a place at Northwood, the 13th nearest school to their home.

Darlington's previous policy, which gave priority to children on the basis of how close they live to the school, meant that children living in rural areas could lose out on a place at the nearest schools if they were all over-subscribed.

Those who do not live within a certain radius of a popular school, such as in the McAdam family's case, were allocated the nearest school with places available.

The policy was found to prejudice children living in rural areas of Darlington and the council had to find a new way to allocate places.

Now, children living in rural wards will get a preference over children living outside the ward who would otherwise be given a place at their chosen school because they live closer.

The council will also provide transport assistance to children living in rural wards who qualify for a place at a school because they live close enough to it, but where their route is not lit.

The changes were approved at Darlington's cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Councillor Heather Scott, Conservative group leader, asked if the council could assure parents that children in rural wards would be accommodated during the next academic year, starting in September.

Murray Rose, director of people at the authority, said: "On the current numbers we have, subject to anyone making a late application or moving here halfway through the year, there are sufficient school places."

He said the difficulties had arisen last year partly because some families had moved to the Darlington area part way through the academic year.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, portfolio holder for children and young people, told the meeting: "Clearly, people moving into the borough or replying late are impossible to predict. Obviously, we will see how things unfold."