PARENTS in Poole are being consulted on the option of removing school catchment areas for primary, infant, first, junior and middle schools.

The six-week consultation runs from Monday and will include all community and voluntary controlled primary schools in Poole, apart from St Joseph’s and St Mary’s Catholic primary schools.

Borough of Poole will be asking residents for their views on having no catchment areas or keeping them the same. If catchment areas are removed they would be replaced with a system offering places based on distance from school.

They are only applied if a school is oversubscribed. However some are not working and the options study was called for by the children’s services overview and scrutiny committee.

There are schools that are not in their own catchment area, some have more children in their catchment area than there are places for them, a new junior school due to open in September 2015 does not have a catchment area and there are an increasing number of academies, some of which are considering removing catchment areas.

Cllr Janet Walton, cabinet portfolio holder for children, young people and families said: “It is crucial we consult with residents before making any decisions going forward.

“We understand this is a key issue for people and we would encourage them to attend one of the public meetings to ask any questions they may have about the proposals.”

The final decision on these catchment areas will be taken in September. For all other schools the decision will be taken by their governing bodies. The earliest a change could be made is September 2016.

Public meetings: 

Poole High School, Wimborne Road, May 14 at 7pm.

Magna Academy, Ashdown Close, Canford Heath, May 15, 7pm.

St Aldhelm’s Academy, Herbert Avenue, May 20, 7pm.

The Junction Leisure Centre, Broadstone, May 22 at 7pm.

Civic Centre on June 3 at 10am and 7pm.

Consultation documents and an online form can be found at boroughofpoole.com