THE situation in which the Suffolk family of Warndon Villages finds itself will sound frustratingly familiar to parents across the Faithful City and beyond, whichever side of the fence you sit.

The family wants one son to join another at Nunnery Wood High, instead of going to The Elgar.

There's nothing new in this, of course, either so far as these two particular schools are concerned, or any other two in the county.

The cause, of course, is the Government's persistence in allowing parents to state their preference for schools when a child moves on.

In this case, the difference is that, dissatisfied at being one of 57 families turned down by the local education authority's appeals panel, the Suffolks have called for the head of Worcestershire education director Julien Kramer.

So far as The Elgar's concerned, we've long gone on record as believing that it's delivering real progress and success for its students.

So far as Mr Kramer's concerned, we don't doubt the sincerity of the Suffolks' desperation to be driving both sons to Nunnery Wood in September, but the resignation call is well wide of the mark. One fact alone stands as evidence.

Although Worcestershire's 146th in the national education funding league, it's 63rd in the Secondary Performance Table. In other words, there are 83 counties doing worse and only 62 doing better.

We know we see more of what happens behind the scenes at County Hall than most teachers and parents.

So take it from us, there are dozens of LEAs who'd crave a person of Mr Kramer's experience and commitment at the helm.

To Mr Suffolk - and those of a similar mind, regarding The Elgar - we say allow your child to become part of the school's transformation.

In general, we say scrap parental choice and stick to catchment areas. The 'best' schools wouldn't corner the brightest children, the playing field would be even for the rest - and families wouldn't be split.