Ashmole Academy has been criticised for wanting to prioritise pupils at a school within the same trust, reports Finn Logue

A Southgate secondary school has been criticised over proposals to change its admissions policy.

Just under 900 parents have signed a petition asking Ashmole Academy in Cecil Road to reconsider their proposal that would give students at Osidge Primary School priority, after Osidge joined Ashmole Academy Trust in 2024.

Although on the Barnet side of the border, Ashmole accepts pupils living in both Enfield and Barnet boroughs, as does Osidge.

The academy trust released a consultation at the start of November outlining the proposal to revise its policy for 2027 admissions, meaning that students at Osidge who live up to a mile away from the school could leapfrog those who live more locally.

Pamela Graham, a parent whose child is in year five at Walker Primary School in Southgate Green, explained her concern about the new policy to the Dispatch.

Pamela said: “This [consultation] doesn’t benefit anybody other than parents at Osidge [Primary] School. It is shutting out the local community to prioritise children who live further away.”

The current admissions policy gives priority to siblings, children at Ashmole Primary School, and then children within the local area. Usually, the catchment extends to children who live up to half-a-mile away.

Pamela claimed that the school’s approach to the matter had been “opaque” and said that other than the release of their consultation document, Ashmole are “not communicating with anybody” and that they’d done no direct consultations with local parents affected by the issue.

She added: “They haven’t stated anywhere why they are doing this.

“If they are going to propose something so significant, why are they not being open about it? I don’t think that’s good enough.”

Stephanos Ioannou, a Conservative councillor for Southgate ward, said: “I do not believe this proposal from Ashmole School in any way benefits residents in either Barnet or Enfield. Ashmole should be inclusive of its surrounding residents.”

The school’s decision on the consultation – which closes tomorrow (Tuesday 16th) – will be revealed next year. Ashmole Academy Trust was approached for comment but did not respond.

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