Your article on the failed bid to change school catchment areas (The Argus, March 18) highlighted a series of broken promises relating to the schools admissions review.

First, we were promised by Brighton and Hove City Council that the catchment areas would result in more equitable social composition of schools.

This promise has been broken.

Secondly, we were promised by the council that they would treat schools with "parity of esteem". This promise has been broken - the council has rejected Patcham High's request to change its catchment areas to ensure it has the correct student intake and not a budget shortfall.

Finally, we were promised by Conservative councillors on the children, schools and families committee that they would do something about the new admission system, when they voted against it last year. This promise has also been broken.

The whole process has felt like a bad episode of Yes, Minister with the bureaucrats pulling the strings and the politicians unable to see beyond the opinion polls. Unfortunately for us and our children the joke has been on us.

The admissions review was supposed to be about ethics, morals and fairness. The reality is that it has only reinforced the sense of alienation and disenfranchisement that many have with their elected representatives and unelected officials.

  • Juliet Grenier, Old Mill Close, Brighton