Two-hours-old baby registered for primary school

The parents of a newborn baby were claiming a place in the record books today - after registering her for a popular primary school when she was only two hours old.

Baby Rhea’s name was put on the waiting list for a place at Lytchett Matravers primary school in Dorset, soon after she was born on November 29, 2005.

Her father, Michael Moors, 27, called his sister to have her register his daughter with the school straight after she made her entrance into the world.

Rhea’s mother, Emma Moors, 25, said: “It happened so quick. She was born at 1.12pm and my sister-in-law was down there at 3.15pm, so it was pretty quick.

“It is such a good school that we just wanted to get her in. The competition is very tough for that school. There’s a lot of children who come from quite far away to try and get in there because it’s a good school.”

Mrs Moors, a nursery nurse from Upton, Dorset, added: “It’s such an important thing in life. You want the best start for them.

“It’s a bit strange to think you have registered your child at a school already but it makes me feel good to know she is registered for the school. She will be nearly five when she starts if things don’t change before then.”

Mike Randall, who has been headteacher at Lytchett Matravers for 23 years, said the previous record was for an 11-hour-old baby who was registered at the school.

“We have broken it again – you can’t get much faster than that,” he said. “I’m thrilled for the family.”

Mr Randall said the primary school, which has 420 pupils aged between four and 11, was one of the largest in Dorset, with children travelling up to 15 miles to attend. Pupils came from the prestigious Sandbanks, Lilliput and Swanage areas amongst other places, he said.

“We live by old-fashioned standards with modern technology,” added Mr Randall.

“I teach every day and know each child by name and each family. I’ve been here for 23 years now and am probably the longest- serving head in Dorset.

“The principles have remained the same throughout – that’s based on respect, understanding and working with the community and at all times trying to do your best, but also having fun.”

He said 70 pupils were already registered to start at the school in September 2006, with only 60 places available.

The school has 20 pupils who are not even one year old on its books, hoping for a place when they come of age.

Registering your child early was not a guarantee of a place as the Local Education Authority made the final decision in admissions, said Mr Randall.

But he added that registering a child early on meant he could keep parents informed about enrolment.

“I feel sorry for parents in some ways,” said Mr Randall.

“Your local school should be for local children. Open enrolment means some schools flourish and some go downhill because of falling numbers.”