A TOP performing Liverpool school has won a High Court fight against a father who unsuccessfully claimed his “anxious” daughter should be granted a place.
Last night, John Waszek, principal at oversubscribed St Edward’s College, in Sandfield Park, West Derby, said the ruling not only vindicated its admission policy but sent out the message that “schools will not roll over” when faced with legal threats from those with the “means to do so”.
The defeated father must now pay the £16,000 legal costs of the school – rated outstanding in three consecutive Ofsted inspections – after the High Court rejected his claim for a judicial review.
When his own legal costs are added, his bill could double.
The father, whose daughter is only referred to as G, had argued the school and an appeals panel were wrong to refuse her a place.
He had attempted to secure a 2009 place under the school’s criteria which, in the event of oversubscription, gives priority to children on “medical and social” grounds.
The father, armed with letters of support from his GP, headteacher of a previous school and counsellor applied for a place on the basis his daughter’s “anxiety and social need to be with her friends”.
He wrote as part of his appeal: “She is a shy, timid child who even now is feeling excluded, rejected and not wanted.”
And he added: “We are determined that G does not suffer a further crisis of confidence due to any positive discrimination.”
But the High Court ruled in favour of the school where, in September, 2009, there were 571 applications were received for 150 new starter places (aged 11).
Court papers reveal 27 children were considered under the medical and social criteria, and eight places were offered by governors who “believe there was a significant material difference” in the cases of the successful applicants.
Those awarded a place ranged from children suffering family bereavements to those with acute health problems such as heart conditions.
Mr Waszek told the court the school’s experienced admissions committee was “carefully selected” and includes a retired headteacher, Royal Liverpool Hospital sister and a magistrate of 22 years.