SOME arguments are deeply intractable and the row between a York mother and City Of York Council over which primary school her daughter should attend would seem to fall into that category.

Angela Green is a woman facing a difficult time in her life. She is six months pregnant and, some months ago, she contracted a disease which affects her arms and hands, leaving her unable to drive.

Because of her illness, she asked if her two children, who attended New Earswick Primary School, could be moved to Huntington Primary School, which is within walking distance.

The local authority obliged, but only up to a point. Mrs Green's son James was accommodated at Huntington Primary School but, thanks to a large in-take, there was no room for her daughter, Amy.

And now, in the worst possible solution for everyone, the ten-year-old girl is being kept at home and educated by a private tutor, at a cost that Mrs Green cannot afford.

City Of York Council has tried to be conciliatory, finding a place for Amy back at her old school in New Earswick, and even offering to provide a taxi to take her to and from school. However, Mrs Green feels nervous about this arrangement and has decided not to send Amy to school at all.

Everyone will surely feel for Mrs Green's plight and the council has expressed its sympathy. However, an impasse has been reached.

While there are rules determining how many pupils a school can accept, and while parents do not like large class sizes, there would seem to be a case here for the rules to be bent a little. Finding a place for Amy at Huntington Primary School would see a way out of a difficult situation which is helping no one, least of all a girl who is missing out on the important opening days of the new school year.

Mrs Green would appear to be at the end of her tether. Indeed, she describes herself as "desperate". It would be timely if someone now found a way through this row.

Updated: 09:57 Wednesday, September 25, 2002