NEW admissions rules which will force Poole grammar schools to give priority to state school pupils above those in private education have been branded “discriminatory”.

From September next year children at prep schools in Poole applying to Poole and Parkstone Grammar schools will be treated differently to those from neighbouring state schools – even if they live within the town.

Iain Robertston, head of private Buckholme Towers School in Poole, called it “clearly discriminatory,” adding: “It is fuelled by the belief that ‘rich kids’ shouldn't be given further advantage. This is nothing short of outrageous. Many of our parents struggle to pay the fees and a significant number have help with fees through bursaries.”

He said one of the school’s “selling points” was its success getting pupils grammar school places, and now parents were considering withdrawing their children.

“If I’m completely honest with you this could break us,” he added.

At the moment, when the Poole grammars are over-subscribed, children in care are given first priority, followed by children at schools in the borough, and finally those from outside.

But a new code of practice issued by the Department for Children, Schools and Families states private schools must not be feeder schools.

So children from the two independent prep schools in Poole – Buckholme Towers and Uplands – will drop into the same category as those applying from outside the borough.

Ian Carter, head of Poole Grammar said the change had been forced upon them.

“I feel very uncomfortable about having to put this in. It doesn’t seem equitable,” he added.

The new rules are under consultation. Parents can lodge feedback with the Office of the Schools Adjudicator from April 15 until July 31.