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Dozens of children have been left devastated to discover they have not been found a secondary school place in Middlesbrough.

Parents found out the shocking news that their children had not been offered a secondary school place on Friday morning.

Middlebrough Council revealed on Friday that the town's secondary schools were completely full as a result of "unprecedented demand" leaving more than 100 pupils without a place in Middlesbrough .

Dad of two, Dale Kenvyn said he was devastated to discover his 10-year-old daughter, Drew, was one of them.

"We've been informed today that they're not going to give us any school," said Dale, 30.

"This is robbing her of her education . We rang up and they said the only schools she can go to are in Redcar or Stockton - the only other option is to home school her.

"How am I meant to explain this to her?

"Drew is a good kid, she's a dedicated dancer - she dances in championships up and down the country - she would be a credit to any school.

"She's about to sit her SATs, it's her birthday next week - all her friends are celebrating which school they got in to.

"The council told us they didn't expect the schools to be so full. They must have had some idea.

"How come my daughter who has lived in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, all her life can't get a place in her own town?"

A letter sent to affected parents from the council's director of education, Andrea Williams, said: "I am writing to you with regard to your child's transition to secondary school in September 2019.

"Unfortunately we have not been able to allocate your child a place in a Middlesbrough school at this time.

"This is because of the high levels of demand for school places in Middlesbrough this year.

"We are currently working with Middlesbrough schools to determine if further places can be made available.

"You may wish to apply for a place in another local school in one of our neighbouring local authorities and you will have received instructions explaining how to do this from the Schools Admissions Team.

"There are places available in Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland authorities.

"We will work with you to find a solution to your child's transition and if necessary will contact you again in the near future."

In a statement, the Middlesbrough Council said: "Parents are being informed this week, and education chiefs have pledged to ensure all those currently without a place will be accommodated.

"While those who have been offered places will be informed on Friday, 87 applications have not been allocated a place, with no application submitted in a further 20 cases.

"In comparison with 2018, fewer pupils who live in Middlesbrough are being offered places elsewhere, while the borough has seen a rise in the number of pupils from outside being offered places in its schools.

"The number of Year 6 pupils living in Middlesbrough has also increased by more than 60 compared with last year, while the number of places available in Middlesbrough schools has also reduced slightly.

"Those affected are being advised to seek places at schools in neighbouring boroughs, with many places currently available in Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland.

"Work is also being undertaken to increase capacity in Middlesbrough."

(Image: Andrew James)

Andrea Williams, Middlesbrough Council’s director of education, described the situation as being "of considerable concern" and thanked parents for their "patience and understanding".

“We have unprecedented numbers of children requiring places in Middlesbrough schools which could not have been foreseen, and clearly this is a matter of considerable concern," she said.

“We are working hard to resolve the situation, and I’m grateful to parents for their patience and understanding.”

Cllr Jan Brunton-Dobson, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for education and skills has been contacted for comment.