Demo over school places

A CROWD of up to 60 demonstrators cordoned off a Peacehaven road to protest about lack of places at the town's new secondary school.

A CROWD of up to 60 demonstrators cordoned off a Peacehaven road to protest about lack of places at the town's new secondary school.

The group gathered in Arundel Road on Saturday to draw attention to their plight. In a show of unity, families whose children had been offered places joined the demonstration.

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Lindsey Cove, of the Parents Action Group, said: 'Peacehaven parents are bewildered and feel deceived by East Sussex County Council, but the real victims here are the devastated children who have had their security shattered and been severed from their friends.

'They are left isolated and confused, wondering what they have done wrong.'

The new Peacehaven Community School opened to students in September last year. On the first day of term youngsters ran with enthusiasm to be the first through its doors. But many potential new students were soon to face disappointment when it became clear demand far outweighed places.

The school was originally designed for a total of 750 pupils with intakes of 150 a year until it reached its capacity. But even when the number was increased to 180 there were still those who were denied a place.

To cope with this increase alone the school will undergo extension works some time in 2004/5.

Currently there are 24 appeals to be heard for only five places at the school.