A CWMBRAN girl's first day at secondary school was cut short last week when she was turned away for not being registered.

Madison Sadler, of Hollybush area, had previously visited Cwmbran High School (CHS) for three induction days and was expecting to enter a smaller class of 15 pupils which would cater to her additional learning needs.

When the big day came on Friday, September 2, the 11-year-old was sent home and her parents have been told by Torfaen CBC admissions that an appeal could take six weeks to resolve.

Parents have stated they were told to register their daughter in July from former school Coed Eva Primary School and claim they sent an application to Torfaen CBC which would be looked at on September 2. When the day came, Madison was sent home after 30 minutes and is currently without a school.

Mum Cheryl Sadler, 44, said: “I did receive a letter from Cwmbran High to my home address advising that due to their visits to Coed Eva that Madison would be placed into a smaller class of children to help with her learning needs.

“We didn't even know we had to apply for a placement and we had correspondence off the school and presumed that was that."

“I felt more at ease with her going to Cwmbran High as her needs had been recognised and they would help her progress and I felt so bad as I went to collect her," she added.

“She was sitting there waiting for me, probably not fully understanding why she had to come home.”

Dad Russel Sadler, 53, said: “If we had taken Madison out of school for a holiday we would be fined. We just feel nobody is listening and going round in circles.”

Cwmbran High School's head teacher, Helen Coulson, stated that local authorities deal solely with the school admission process.

“There was an application process that ran from October 2015 for primary school pupils to apply for a place at Cwmbran High School in September 2016,” she said.

"We have set up our teaching groups and timetabled teaching staff to accommodate these numbers and each teaching group is full.

“The local authority send us a list of pupils that apply and those that were accepted at CHS. We have reached our maximum capacity, again set by the local authority.

“If a pupil turns up at the school, who isn’t on the agreed list sent to us by the local authority, we are unable to accept them.”

Mrs Sadler added that the six-week appeal timescale will affect Madison's education and could lead her to miss out on new friends.

“She is not a confident child and has been bullied in the past and with this I worry it may happen as she will be the new girl," Mrs Sadler said.

"I have been told that there are spaces at Croesyceiliog but I have declined as I have purchased the Cwmbran High uniform, which is not cheap.

"I am not prepared to pay out more money when this is not my fault."

A council spokeswoman said: ‘The admissions criteria is the same for all Torfaen schools and is promoted widely.

"All parents were sent relevant information regarding the closing date of applications.

"Original admissions letters were sent out in October 2015 and a reminder was then sent to schools in November with a closing date at the end of November 2015.

"Offer letters were then sent out during March 2016.

"While we don’t wish to discuss any individual situation publicly, there is an appeals process for parents who wish to challenge any school placement. We’re always happy to discuss any concerns parents may have where possible."