| Newbury MP David Rendel has claimed rural schools will be put at risk by parents having the right to choose which school their child goes to. Speaking in Parliament, Mr Rendel warned against Government proposals which will allow some rural schools to expand at the expense of others nearby.
The Liberal Democrat MP said: "There could be two village schools of more or less equal quality, but one might be slightly more popular than the other, so there is a danger that a few of the richer parents from the village whose school is marginally less good may decide to move their children to the school in the next village.
"They can take up that option because they can drive the children to the school in the next village in their 4x4 vehicles, leaving a decreasing population in the other village until finally the school is no longer viable. That is to the huge detriment of the poorer people in that village. They do not have transport to take their children to the next village and life could become extremely difficult for them."
Lib Dems are in favour of strict catchment areas to overcome the right to choose issue. | 
