A FAMILY who moved to Ramsbottom last month claim they have been told there are no school places in the borough for their teenage daughter.

Leigh Hayes (14) has not been taught since moving from the south to Regent Street with her family .

Mother Alison Myatt contacted Bury Council's education department at the end of November to inform them of the move and applying for a place at Woodhey High, the nearest school.

Although there were no places, Mrs Myatt was told she could appeal. The family heard last Friday that they had lost the appeal. Mrs Myatt claims she was also told that there were no school places left in the borough for Leigh.

Mrs Myatt said: "Basically what the education authority are saying is that if you move to Ramsbottom during term time then your child will not get an education. So what will all those families do when they move into new houses being built all the time in Ramsbottom?"

The family say their efforts to get a Woodhey place are being further frustrated because even though Leigh is essentially a year 10 pupil, past difficulties mean she would actually go into Year Nine. Legally, however, an appeal can only be made for a place in line with the child's age, even though once in the school it may be possible to change years.

Mrs Myatt, who is seven months pregnant and has an 18-month-old son Jack, added: "Now I have to appeal for another place which is going to take many weeks again and there is no guarantee she would get it.

"I don't want her to go anywhere else. How would anyone feel about their daughter having to travel miles each day to get to school, particularly in a new area?

"It is really stressful and I don't know what to do. This is a vital time in her education."

She added: "If the education authority are telling us all school places are filled then what is the point of appeal? Meanwhile my daughter is losing an education she is entitled to by law. If she was playing truant or I took her on holiday during term time, I would be fined."

Paul Cooke, head of school planning and management services, said: "Bury's secondary schools are both successful and popular and consequently many are full and it may not be possible for a parent to be offered a place at their preferred school if they move into the area.

"Parents have a right of appeal but, of course, there is no guarantee it will win their child a place.

"At Woodhey there is a greater number of places than there are pupils resident in the school's catchment area, with a number of pupils from outside the catchment area at the school.

"However, it is simply not possible to reserve places for pupils that may move into the area mid-year."

Mr Cook added that he would look in to the possibility of offering Leigh some sort of education until a place had been found in another school.