A mother who moved to Southend for a better life is struggling to get her daughter into a secondary school.

Class concern - mum Tracy Creighton and her daughter Vicky, with Vicky's cousin, Aimee Adams, right Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Tracy Creighton moved from Dagenham to Chesterfield Crescent, Eastwood, with her daughter Vicky, 13, on November 28 and tried to get the teenager a place in Eastwood School in nearby Rayleigh Road.

She said: "I was told the head would call back when he'd cleared his plate and if he said no I could appeal. I still haven't heard.

"I've also tried two Rayleigh schools. FitzWimarc said no over the phone but promised to send an application form and said I could appeal, and the same with Sweyne Park."

"I've been offered a place at Thorpe Bay School, but that's two bus rides away."

A Southend Council spokesman said:"Parents who do not get their preferred school do have the right to appeal."

Published Friday January 16, 2004

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