SUCCESS in a legal challenge against Kent County Council’s education plans has been hailed a "huge victory" for parents and children.

Mother-of-10 Robina Allum, who has six children progressing through every stage of the Sheppey's existing three-tier structure, instructed solicitors to start the process for a Judicial Review.

A dossier of evidence was submitted to the High Court by solicitors Leigh Day & Co and now parents will again be asked for their views.

Mrs Allum, who lives in Minster, complained that plans to make the Island’s first schools full blown primary schools for five to 11 year olds and the creation of a two-tier structure with an Academy are integrally linked.

She said this meant parents should have had the full facts before they could make informed comments when consulted. Her case is backed by the Sheppey Parents’ Action Group (SPAG).

Chairman Theresa Langworthy said: "We are extremely pleased to learn that KCC has now accepted that the two sets of proposals are linked and that a determination on the primary phase should take place at the same time as a determination on the secondary phase.

"This is a victory for the rights of parents who have continually asked for a joint consultation; to be aware of the whole educational picture on Sheppey.

"SPAG has always believed that parents should know all the details about the proposed Sheppey Academy before making a decision in order that they can judge whether an Academy would benefit their children as the only secondary educational establishment on the Island.

"At the same time as being pleased with this decision SPAG are extremely disappointed that legal proceedings had to be taken at great financial expense to both parties to gain something to which the community should have been respectfully granted from the outset."

KCC’s area education officer Alison Osborne said: "KCC in promoting the change to the Island’s educational system with the creation of an academy as its preferred choice to cater for secondary education has acted with the support a majority of people on the Island.

"In response to a recent challenge by way of judicial review by a parent on the Island, rather than engage in a prolonged legal debate which would add to the uncertainty faced by the children on the Island, KCC has taken a pragmatic approach.

"Upon legal advice it has decided not to challenge the judicial review and will consult further with the people of the Island before determining if and how to move forward with the plans to reform the educational system on the Island."

For more information visit www.spag.info