A COUNCIL has extended its consultation on proposed school admission arrangements after parents in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton raised concerns and held a public meeting.

The parents are worried that Stockton Borough Council's new proposals for school admissions would make it harder for their children to go to the well-regarded Egglescliffe School.

Ingleby Barwick has a new free school but many parents want their children to go to Egglescliffe and have won the backing of both James Wharton MP and Labour's parliamentary candidate Louise Baldock.

The consultation process was due to end on February 13 but now that has been extended to February 28. Children in villages to the west of Yarm would be prioritised under new proposals.

Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We have listened and we have agreed to extend the consultation period for as long we possibly can."

The first meeting for Ingleby Barwick parents and carers will take on Thursday, February 5, from 5.30pm to 7pm at All Saints CE Academy in Blair Avenue.

The public meetings for parents and carers from Eaglescliffe and the Western Parish villages of Carlton, Elton, Long Newton and Redmarshall will take place as follows:

· Monday, February 9, from 5.30pm to 7pm at Egglescliffe School, Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe

· Wednesday, February 11, from 5.30pm to 7pm at the Wilson Centre, Darlington Road, Long Newton

· Thursday, February 12, from 5.30pm to 7pm at The Links Primary School, Carnoustie Drive, Eaglescliffe

To view the consultation report in full, or to download a consultation survey, visit: www.stockton.gov.uk/schooladmissionconsultation