The Evening Post reports that South Gloucestershire Council has made a u-turn on its selection policy for Bradley Stoke Community School.

Several weeks ago the paper and this website reported on the plight of 11-year-old Rosie Foale who lives in Ormonds Close.

Rosie was told that, despite that fact she can see the school from her home, she wouldn’t be going there and would instead be going to Patchway secondary school.

Why? Because by ‘conventional’ transport means Patchway is, apparently, closer.

The paths in the Three Brooks Nature Reserve behind Rosie’s house are unlit and are not counted by the council as a safe route to the school.

The twist is this: Rosie has been told she can’t go, but next year, the selection policy will change so potential pupils living in Ormonds Close can go.

Rosie’s mum, Marie, told the Post: “To have her place refused was bad enough, but to hear that it is going to let pupils from our road in next year is just making it worse.”

Jon Williams, Bradley Stoke town councillor, who campaigned for the rules to be changed said the move was “a victory for common sense”. Couldn’t agree more, Jon!

“I am confident that with these pathways included we won’t see a repeat of this year’s ridiculous situation where children who could see the school from their home were unable to get a place.”

It’s great that the situation has been sorted - but what a great pity that the district council could not find a solution that included this year’s intake of students.

Update: The BBC has also caught up with this story now.