PARENTS are being urged to declare their interest in two free-school bids being put together in Swindon or face the real risk of not getting their children into the school they want.

The New College and the Diocese of Bristol are preparing bids to open schools in Swindon in 2016 but they need to collect signatures from parents to prove there is sufficient demand. But despite evidence Swindon is facing a shortage of places in a few years both applications have struggled to reach the required number ahead of an October deadline. Each has about 750 signatures.

With predicted growth over the next decade, Swindon is likely to need three new schools. The new college bid will focus on North Swindon while the Bristol of Diocese is looking at a more central or southern location.

With government approval both will look to open in 2016, but this is in jeopardy if the schools do not gather the support they need.

Councillor Fionuala Foley (Con, Chiseldon and Lawn), the cabinet member for children’s services, said: “With funds as they are, the Government are not approving every bid, so if the signatures are not gathered then there is a very real chance they will be rejected.

“The key thing for parents to remember is that by signing up they are not saying they will definitely send their child to a given school but that they would be interested in having the choice. It is not legally binding.”

“If these bids are not accepted then it may be as late as 2018 before we can even think about opening another secondary school.”

Since the concept of free schools was introduced, the number of bids accepted has dropped. The Swindon applications will be in the eighth wave and, while a ninth wave has been announced, the Department of Education is believed to have overspent on the scheme.

For a bid to be accepted it is important to demonstrate local demand.

“This is about making sure parents have choice,” said Coun Foley.

“We have choice in what supermarket we go to so we get the best and that should be the same in schools.

“One of the issues is I think that parents see it as a problem for the future, but it is one that needs dealing with now so I urge people to support the bids. Parents can sign up to both.”