HUNDREDS of 11-year-olds in Haringey have failed to get a place at their first choice of secondary school. Of 2,336 applying for places, 33 per cent did not get their preference of the borough's 11 secondary schools. Among them is Kieron

Charlotte Newton

HUNDREDS of 11-year-olds in Haringey have failed to get a place at their first choice of secondary school.

Of 2,336 applying for places, 33 per cent did not get their preference of the borough's 11 secondary schools.

Among them is Kieron Farrance-Felisberto, 11, a pupil at Weston Park Primary School in Hornsey. He wanted to go to Alexandra Park School or Highgate Wood with the majority of his classmates.

But Haringey Council has offered him his third choice - Greig City Academy in Hornsey.

He said: "I'm not very happy because I'm going to be going to a different school to everyone in my class. A lot of my friends already have siblings at Highgate Wood so they have automatically been given a place there.

"I did put Greig down on my form and I do have two friends who are older than me who go there, so I hope it will be OK."

His mother, Claire Farrance, 32, of Denton Road, Hornsey, said: "I really wanted Kieron to go to Alexandra Park because of its academic record. I went to St David's and St Katherine's - which was what Greig used to be. It wasn't too bad when I was there but I know it went very downhill and got a terrible reputation.

"A lot of money has been invested in the new school but I'm just not sure how much you can dress something up. This decision will also affect his younger sister because she will probably end up going there too."

Altan Kulla, 11, of Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill, also failed to get his first choice. A pupil at Weston Park Primary School, his first choice was Fortismere School in Muswell Hill. Instead he has been offered a place at Alexandra Park School in Bounds Green.

He said: "I'm scared because I don't know anyone who's going there." His father, Ruzhdi Kulla added: "I wanted him to go to Fortismere but the local authority dismissed that. Alexandra Park School is near our house so I won't be appealing. I think he'll be OK there."

Haringey's children's and young persons' boss, Councillor Liz Santry, said: "Haringey schools continue to be both successful and popular.

"These figures show that the vast majority of parents are offered a place for their child at either their first or second preference school.

"We have an open, fair and transparent admissions system."

broadway@hamhigh.co.uk