CATCHMENT areas are due to be removed for community and voluntary controlled primary schools in Poole - but not until 2018 at the earliest.

Borough of Poole has agreed in principal to the removal of these catchment areas and for all other types of school the decision to retain or remove them will be made by their governing bodies.

Some schools in the borough are currently consulting on removing the areas for September 2016 and taking pupils from the wider community.

The council carried out public consultation earlier in the year and 203 responses were received while 60 people attended six public meetings.

Of these 49% of respondents were in favour of the proposal to remove school catchment areas, with 51% against. Responses were not evenly distributed across the borough with 66 per cent from Broadstone Middle and Baden Powell and St Peter's CE VC Middle School catchment areas.

However a number of changes had arisen during the study which would have an impact including a government code on prioritising pupil premium youngsters, more schools have become academies, an appraisal process for the Corfe Hills pyramid will not be completed in time and an amendment to the admission arrangements of the schools will be required.

Vicky Wales, head of children, young people and learning said: “Members accepted the recommendation that the implementation of the removal of catchment areas for Community and Voluntary Controlled primary-phase schools is delayed until September 2018.

“This would allow time for the changes that have arisen to be addressed and for appropriate admission arrangements established.”

Consultation on the admission arrangements for September 2016 is currently taking place and will end on January 16 2015. Finalised arrangements will be published on the council website by next May 1.