A mum with cancer is pleading with education chiefs to allow her two young sons to attend the same school.

Michelle Amey, 35, can no longer drive after having brain surgery to remove a tumour and is battling with Dorset County Council to allow both Charlie, seven, and four-year-old George to attend Mudeford Infants School in Queens Road.

Michelle of Friars Cliff, Christchurch, has undergone surgery to remove tumours from her brain and adrenal gland in the last few weeks following the resurgence of the cancer she thought she had beaten.

She also had a kidney removed due to complications. Michelle said for the well-being of her sons she wants them in the same school to support one another. Husband Stuart works in Southampton and is unable to collect the boys himself.

But the education authority insists George must go to Somerford Primary School. Michelle said: “The situation has just been horrendous. It’s breaking my heart.”

The couple, who moved to a new house just over half a mile away two years ago, found out last spring George didn’t get a place at the school with his older brother.

She added: “I was shocked. They said it’s because he is a sibling out of catchment which comes quite far down the list in terms of their priorities.

“Stuart went to the appeals hearing and it was a split decision.

“And then George was offered a place at Somerford.

“I decided I was not going to put George in any school so he’s back at pre-school at Mudeford Wood Community Centre.”

Despite a place coming up at Mudeford Infants at the end of last year, the couple were again refused the position.

“The governors have been great and the head has been absolutely fantastic,” Michelle said.

“The boys know Mummy has got three things inside her and they know what’s going on.

“It has affected my eldest a bit more and it would be security for him to have his little brother at the same school.

“I just can’t cope with the journey between schools.” Michelle said:

“We just can’t get through to the council. “I think we are something like 260 feet outside the catchment area. The boundary is in the road next to us.”

Mudeford headteacher, Duncan Churchill, said: “We fully sympathise with the family.

“However, admissions are managed by the local education authority and they have to work within the law. It is a really unfortunate situation.”

'We have been very sympathetic'

JOHN Nash, Dorset County Council’s director for children’s services, said: “We are aware of this case and have worked very closely to support this family.

“The youngest child could not be offered a place at Mudeford Infant School as all the places were allocated in line with legal requirements.

“To admit another child would exceed the ‘class size of 30’ legislation.”

He confirmed an appeal was held where the details of the family circumstances were made clear to the appeal panel, but their opinion was to uphold the offer of a place at Somerford Primary School.

Mr Nash said: “We have been very sympathetic to this case and have gone beyond what is required to assist and support the family. We hope to find the best outcomes for them all.”

Local county councillor Alan Griffiths, said: “I would urge the school to support a change in their admissions policy.”