AN independent review into school admissions has been ordered by education bosses after a “difficult” decision to widen the catchment area of a High Wycombe grammar.

The demand for grammar places meant “now is the time” for the review, said Buckinghamshire County Council schools boss Marion Clayton.

It comes as the council decided to go ahead with plans to allow parents from Gerrards Cross and Denham to apply for John Hampden Grammar School.

The move followed concerns from parents in the villages, she said – and providing extra places to cope with demand was "not an option".

It will take effect from September next year. The school – which backed the plans – was not available for comment.

Councillor Clayton, cabinet member for education, said: “With the demands for admissions increasing on certain schools in the county, I feel that now is the time to commission an independent review to take a wider look at the issue.”

The council said the lack of places had been “very difficult” for families.

There has been concern the move will “displace” pupils from High Wycombe (see link, below).

Cllr Clayton said: “This decision has been very difficult, but has been taken to try to ensure that boys in Gerrards Cross and Denham can access one of their catchment schools.

“We remain committed to ensuring that every qualified Buckinghamshire child will be offered a place at a grammar school.

“Of course, this does not mean that every child can be guaranteed a place at their first preference school.”

She added: “Changes in population and different patterns of qualification make the admissions process difficult.

“Small, unpredictable changes in both the percentage rate of qualifying boys and girls and their school preferences can have a significant impact on the overall pattern of school allocations.”

Councillors “looked very carefully at the available historical data” to make the decision, she said.

She said: “Head teachers and governing bodies of the grammar schools concerned considered the suggestion and agreed with the proposal.

“All recognise that in the absence of offering more places at any school, which is not an option, no solution is going to increase the number of boys gaining their first preference catchment school.”

She added: “The aim of this decision is to ensure as far as possible that each qualified boy is able to access a place at one of his catchment schools if it is a named preference.”