Lynne Featherstone

A couple who had their home demolished in the Muswell Hill coach crash can this week finally hand in their daughter’s application for a local primary school, after Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone stepped in to highlight Haringey Council’s incorrect interpretation of its own policy.

Andrew, Caroline and their three-year-old daughter Delilah Macaulay-Smith earlier this year had to temporarily move to Finchley as repairs to their demolished house were carried out. Haringey Council informed them that as their temporary place of residence was now in Finchley, they would be unlikely to get Delilah into a local school. In desperation the coupled turned to their MP, Lynne Featherstone, for help.

After months of correspondence Haringey Council finally agreed to change its mind, admitting that their rules could allow the family’s Muswell Hill address to be used when applying for local schools.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“Andrew, Caroline and Delilah have been through such trauma this year already, not least by having half their house demolished in the crash. Hearing that Delilah might not be able to get into a local school was almost the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“I’m delighted that Haringey saw the injustice in this case and changed their minds. It’s wonderful to see the family so happy and with a new positive outlook on the future.”

Caroline Macaulay adds:

“When Haringey Council told me that I couldn’t apply for primary schools in the borough, I burst into tears and felt sick with worry for weeks.

“We were all still suffering from the trauma of the accident. But now, on top of all that, it looked like Haringey were going to unfairly penalise a young child – through no fault of her own – and refuse her a place in one of the local schools.

“At a time of immense trauma, all we got from Haringey Council was a doggedly unsympathetic response. It felt like we weren’t dealing with humans, just robots. My heartfelt thanks goes out to Lynne. Thanks to her humanity, compassion and endless support we got through this dreadful experience.”