A mother has spoken of the pressure her family is under after her son was told he could not have a place at a school which says it does not have room for him.

The headteacher at Colne Community College in Brightlingsea said last week a decision had been taken not to give a place to 12-year-old Shane Crouch in year eight because it is already over-subscribed by 31.

Despite being told by the local education authority, Essex County Council, that a place must be made available, the school has appealed to the Home Secretary.

Shane's mum, Maria, said the situation had put the family under enormous pressure and brought a black cloud over a move which was meant to be a new start for the family.

"I understand the year is over-subscribed, but our attitude is that one more will not make a difference.

"We have moved here from Basildon because we wanted to be a nice rural place to bring up our family. We applied for a place for him at the school before we left, but we never imagined there would be a problem because it is our local school," she said.

Two appeals by Mrs Crouch, 32, and husband Tim, 35, were turned down by an independent panel, but the local education authority told the school they would have to take Shane.

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