Parents fear they will have to keep their children at home if they cannot win their fight for places at a Bradford primary school.

And the families of 13 children who have been refused places at St Philip's Primary school in Washington Street, Girlington, Bradford, have launched a petition for a new classroom.

The youngsters are already attending the school's nursery but face the prospect of having to move to another school in September.

Concerned parent Ajaz Akbar, 28, whose four-year-old son Harris is at the nursery, said: "Some children will be kept at home if they can't go to St Philip's.

"In some cases their parents work and it's their grandparents who have to walk them to school.

"There's one grandfather who's on crutches and he's said there's no way he'll walk to a school that's a further three-quarters of a mile away."

Children refused places will have to try to get in at the new Iqura School in Drummond Road.

Mr Akbar, an IT professional, is also a governor at St Philip's school and set up its website.

He said he and his wife, Nazim, 24, hoped their one-year-old daughter Sana would have been able to go to the school too.

Mr Akbar's case is being reviewed by an independent appeals panel at City Hall within the next few weeks.

The criteria for allocation of places depends on whether the child has a sibling already at the school and they have to live in the catchment area, which covers Washington Street and Girlington Street.

Mr Aqbar lives in Duckworth Grove, which is opposite Washington Street.

Headteacher Judith Bey said she could not comment on the petition but said there were 60 children who were part-time at the nursery.

There will be a one form entry for reception class with 30 places in September.

"Not all the children in nursery will be old enough to go on to reception and of the children who put down St Philip's as their first choice, 17 did not get in," she said.

She said others had found places at other schools.

Councillor Amir Hussain (Lab, Toller) said he supports the parents' campaign.

He said: "It's very important that the children get places at this school as the only other option is Iqura School which is much further away."

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: "St Philip's Primary is presently oversubscribed so we have had to apply for the admissions criteria to determine which pupils will attend the school.

"It means that clear priority is given to children who already have an older brother or sister at the school.

"We cannot comment any further as Mr Akbar's appeal is due to be heard by an independent appeals panel within the next two weeks."

e-mail: carolyne.coyle@

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