PARENTS have criticised the only Ofsted rated outstanding secondary school in Widnes for accepting elite young footballers who live out of town whilst local children have been rejected.

A mum was incensed to discover that primary school pupils from Widnes have been refused a place at Wade Deacon whilst boys from the Everton Academy who live miles away have been accepted.

The woman, who does not wish to be named, has a daughter starting at the Birchfield Road school in September.

She said:”One of her friends has not been given a place and she is naturally upset.

“I was shocked and angered to find that a boy in her class is from Leeds but has gained a place thanks to his being part of the Everton Academy.

“It transpires that at least two more such boys in another class are from Stockport and Warrington.”

Executive principal Lynne Fox told the World last year that it only takes older academy boys which does not affect year seven recruitment.

The mum added: “I feel as a Halton Council taxpayer that children from our area should take priority.

“I think this is a disgrace that should be challenged.”

Wade Deacon says it works in partnership with Everton FC Academy to provide education facilities for their under 16 players.

The school stressed that these boys do not take any places set aside for local children.

Ian Kirkham, head of Academy operations said: “These students do not form part of the schools’ planned admission number of 300 and do not prevent any pupils gaining a place under the schools’ admissions policy at Wade Deacon.

“A total of 300 places will always be allocated at a local level based on meeting the school’s published admissions’ criteria.

“I would emphasise that no student is prevented from gaining a place as a result of the partnership with Everton.”

He said the reason students are unable to get a place is because the school is popular and heavily oversubscribed.