A mother says “it is utterly ridiculous” that her daughter has been allocated a place at a secondary school which is currently an hour’s drive away.  

Hayley Belsham, from Leverington, near Wisbech, had hoped her daughter Tilly-Mae would be moving on to a local secondary school closer to home.  

But when Cambridgeshire County Council released the secondary school allocations in the early hours of this morning (Friday), she was offered Vista Academy Littleport.  

It means Tilly-Mae's daily commute to school could be at least a 46-mile drive and a two-hour round trip when the A1101 Welney Wash Road is closed during the winter months. 

Her journey to school would still be over 20 miles when the road is open.  

Hayley said: “We have spent today collecting evidence to appeal the decision because this is utterly ridiculous. 

“I couldn’t believe it when I logged into the system and saw Tilly-Mae's allocated school was in Littleport.  

“I logged out and back in again because I was expecting to see at least one of the three schools we had requested.  

“Tilly-Mae was devastated when we told her this morning and apparently there are over 40 others from the Wisbech area in this situation.” 

She added: “We aren’t able to get her to Littleport every day for school.  

“The long journey would also be a nightmare, she’d be exhausted with the long commute and she wouldn’t be able to take part in any extracurricular activities.

“Cambridgeshire County Council and the Department for Education have known since these kids were in their Reception class seven years ago how many secondary school places would be needed.  

“Both had time to prepare for September, there are no excuses for this.”  

Wisbech Standard: Stock photo of secondary school students.Stock photo of secondary school students. (Image: David Jones - PA Archive - PA Images)Year 6 pupils across the country found out today (March 1) where they will be attending secondary school this September.  

All students can select three options when they apply in the autumn. 

Tilly-Mae had chosen were University Academy Long Sutton as her first choice, Marshland High School in West Walton was second and third was their catchment school Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech.   

Together as a family they had looked around all three at open evenings and were preparing themselves for the transition.  

Hayley says she received a follow-up email this morning from Cambridgeshire County Council asking if Tilly-Mae would be interested in attending the new Wisbech Free School if it was built by September.  

Wisbech Standard: Stock image of secondary school students studying.Stock image of secondary school students studying. (Image: Ben Birchall - PA Archive - PA Images)

The council says due to the high number of applications for secondary school places, it had been working with the Department for Education and the Brooke Weston Trust to open the Wisbech Free School as soon as possible.  

This would be adjacent to Thomas Clarkson Academy.  

A council spokesperson said: “However, they are unable to offer parents a place at this school until there is certainty about the opening date.  

“This has resulted in students being offered places at Vista Academy and Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey instead.” 

He explained the council is also required by the Schools Admissions Code to offer students a secondary school place at the nearest available school with places on National Offer Day.  

“That is why some Wisbech resident children have today been offered a place at Vista Academy [in Littleport],” he said.  

The Department for Education approved their own delivery of the Free School in 2021 in response to the growing need for secondary school places in Wisbech. 

The council spokesperson went on to say that as a result, it removed its own plans to build a secondary school in Wisbech from the capital programme. 

"It is regrettable that the school has not been delivered in time for the coming academic year," he said, "however Cambridgeshire County Council and the Department of Education are working closely together to find a solution that meets the needs of local children."

Earlier today, the council said 87.9 per cent of the county’s students will be going to their first choice secondary school this September.

A spokesperson for Vista Academy Littleport says it was “recently made aware of” plans “to make a significant number of additional offers to students” living out of its catchment.  

She said: “Whilst we have queried this decision with the Local Authority, we will of course be delighted to welcome these additional Year 7s in September.  

“Vista has gone from strength to strength since it opened in September 2023, and we look forward to building on this great work with our new cohort later this year.” 

A Department for Education spokesperson said the government had created almost 1.2m additional school places created since 2010, with more in the pipeline.

- How do you feel about your child's school allocation today? Email louise.hepburn@newsquest.co.uk.