PARENTS whose children didn't get the secondary school of their choice have asked the Secretary of State to sort out the situation.

Ideally, the 15 parents - who all have children in schools in Briercliffe - would like their children to go to their preferred school, Mansfield High in Brierfield.

If that is not an option, they are planning to set up their own school.

Three teachers and student teachers have already volunteered to run the school and parents, whose children currently attend St James and Briercliffe primary, have been offered two buildings.

Mansfield High has altered its form entry this year from eight forms of 30 pupils to nine forms with seven classes of 27 pupils and two with 26.

Tony Gibson, whose daughter Donna, 11, is one of those affected, said: "The school has funding and teachers for nine forms of 30, so accepting a further 29 pupils would not prejudice the education authority or the efficient use of school resources."

The parents have written to Gillian Shephard, Secretary of State for Education and Employment, the chief executive of Lancashire County Council and the Ombudsman.

They have also checked the minimum teaching area policy and have calculated the school has room for 1,199 children. The school's roll number is 1,171.

A spokeswoman at County Hall said it was up to Mansfield how it organised its intake, but the agreed number of places for children starting at the school in August remained at 240.

A fund-raising committee has been set up to co-ordinate help from local businesses and run events through the summer and negotiations are taking place with local pubs to hold events.

No-one from Mansfield was available for comment.

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