Fair Access Group wins £10k grant for Leeds free school

Parents campaigning for more school places in north Leeds have won a £10,000 grant in their bid to open a free school.

Children from 86 families failed to get a place at one of their preferred primary schools earlier this year.

The shortage in places comes after an "unprecedented" boom in the number of school-age children in the area.

The Fair Access Group said it wanted to provide permanent provision for future generations.

It is now preparing to submit an application to the Department for Education outlining its case for a new school in Roundhay.

If approved, the group hopes the school will be open by September 2017.

Member Gillian Hayward said: "There's isn't enough provision in that part of Leeds.

"It's important that children are able to go to a good or outstanding local school in their community.

"We're delighted that we have got this money because it enables us to get our message out there."

Campaigners held a protest outside the civic hall in April after families in Alwoodley and Roundhay were refused a place at one of their top five primary schools.

The authority created 90 new places at three oversubscribed schools at Wigton Moor, Highfield and Gledhow in May.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon said providing school places was an "increasingly difficult challenge" in the face of government cuts.