Parents warned over school fraud

East Renfrewshire schools are among the best in Scotland

A council is threatening to prosecute parents who fraudulently try to enrol their children in its schools.

East Renfrewshire is demanding greater proof of identity after discovering at least 20 attempts by people from outside the area in the past year.

Parents will have to provide four documents to prove they live in their preferred school's catchment area.

The council said schools were "struggling to cope" with the numbers of children legally entitled to attend.

Parents hoping to register their child at a school in East Renfrewshire must produce a birth certificate, a child benefit or family tax credit letter, a council tax letter and a mortgage or rental agreement.

Checks will be carried out where forgery is suspected. Prosecution could follow in cases where fraud is proven.

East Renfrewshire's education convener, Councillor Alan Lafferty, said the council's schools were recognised as some of the best in Scotland.

Fraudulently attempting to gain a place at one of our schools is at the expense of a child who has a genuine right to be at that school Alan Lafferty Education convener

He explained why the council had tightened enrolment procedures.

"Our first duty is to our own residents to ensure that their children get a place at our schools," he said.

"That's why we're insisting on these checks and if parents can't provide us with the necessary documents, then their children simply won't get in.

"We're also warning that we'll thoroughly investigate suspicious circumstances and prosecute where necessary.

"Fraudulently attempting to gain a place at one of our schools is at the expense of a child who has a genuine right to be at that school."

The local authority has more than 8,000 pupils attending 24 primary schools.

Teaching unions said the move to tighten enrolment was understandable.

'Fraudulent means'

A spokesman for the Educational Institute of Scotland said: "This is perhaps one of the more extreme examples of councils seeking proof of address.

"But if the council feels that it's an issue then it's understandable that they choose to go down this route.

"It's down to the council how much proof they ask for and how they choose to pursue any parent who tries to obtain a place by fraudulent means.

I'm not happy with a system where a postcode matters. I think there needs to be greater flexibility Liz Smith Conservative education spokesman

"It's understandable that parents will always want the best opportunities for their child but councils are legally required to offer first choice to those living within the catchment area."

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities said the decision on the enrolment procedure was up to the council.

But the Conservative's education spokesman, Liz Smith, said the current system "breeds an unhealthy degree of competition".

"I'm not happy with a system where a postcode matters. I think there needs to be greater flexibility," she said.

"No parent should be telling untruths just to get their child into a particular school.

"We would like a system where there is more freedom in local authorities. It shouldn't be a case of one size fits all."