By Amy Orton

Parents applying for school places for children in Ashby will be affected by the changes to catchment areas for primary schools that are due to be introduced in September 2021.

Housing developments are behind plans to make the changes. 

In Ashby, it is proposed that catchment lines are dissolved entirely, meaning parents will be eligible to apply for any of the town's five primary schools – Ashby Hill Top Primary School, Woodcote Primary School, Ashby de la Zouch Primary School, Ashby Willesley Primary School, and the new school on the Holywell housing development.

The proposed changes are part of plans to meet the demand for primary school places which will be required as a result of the new Holywell development.

A report about the changes states: "The council's experience of having a single catchment with multiple schools has shown a positive impact to parents as they have several catchment schools rather than just one. 

"If the amendment is not made now it will mean that the new school on the Holywell Farm development would have overlapping catchment boundaries and dual catchment rights, this could cause significant confusion amongst parents and the potential for challenge."

Some parents raised concerns in the consultation over siblings being split when the change comes in but the report addressed the concerns and said: "The council has been very mindful to make amendments before most of the houses are built to avoid split siblings in the future."

The report concludes: "If catchment amendments are not approved demand for school places at already oversubscribed schools will increase, whilst neighbour schools might remain undersubscribed.

"The proposed amendments will help offer greater choice and diversity whilst ensuring siblings will have a high success in securing the same school.†

Changes to the admissions policy as a whole are also being planned. Parents were consulted over the alterations which include removing religious belief as one of the criteria for granting places. 

Officers said that only one application received last year cited religious belief.

Members of the Tory-run council's cabinet are set to approve the changes when they meet on Friday.