A parent has set up a petition to stop proposed changes to the way two Kent secondary schools may get to select their pupils.

Langley Park Learning Trust (LPLT) runs the two secondary sites - Langley Park School for Boys and Langley Park School for Girls, in Beckenham, alongside three primary schools.

It launched the public consultation to look at changes to its policies in the event the schools are oversubscribed.

One option suggested is pupils of three primary schools run by the trust are considered before children at other schools. The primary sites involved are Clare House, Langley Park Primary School, in Beckenham, and Hawes Down primary, a site which includes additional provision for children with severe and complex educational needs in West Wickham.

But worried parent Jennifer Williams says if this happens the catchment pool of those eligible for the two secondary schools will shrink.

She wrote on change.org: "These proposed changes will have a hugely detrimental impact on children and families in the areas surrounding the boys and girls schools.

"The catchment areas, both of which are heavily oversubscribed, will inevitably shrink by a considerable amount. Priority would be given to 180 children in the three named primary schools, some of whom will live further from the secondary schools than children living locally, but not attending those named primaries."

She said it could result in more children being driven further and other nearby secondary schools could see intense competition.

She added: "The end result would be children at one of the three named primary schools, along with any siblings who would access the same primary school under the sibling rule, would have their education guaranteed from four to18 years. This would put children attending other primary schools in the locality at a huge disadvantage."

LPLT's board of trustees says no decisions have been taken, as these will be made using the consultation responses.

It adds even if the full amount of Year 6 pupils at all three primary schools transferred to the trust's secondary schools, there would still be 280 places available for children attending other nearby primaries.

It adds the proposal would have advantages such as sharing curriculums and best practice.

There is also another option just to name Langley Park Primary School, which is on the same campus as the secondary venues, as a feeder school.

Parents with children at Langley Park Primary School have since made contact with KentOnline to say they understood, over three-and-a-half years of discussions that this school would be the sole feeder venue for the secondaries. They said they were dismayed when the consultation included the two other primaries.

Ms Williams petition is available to sign here, while the consultation runs until Friday, January 24 and is available to view here.

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