A NORTH Yorkshire primary school's bid to be aligned with a different secondary partner looks set for a bumpy ride next week.

St Mary's, in Bolton-on-Swale, is linked with Risedale Community College, Catterick Garrison, and is supposed to send most of its pupils there.

However, since 1997, the majority of parents have indicated a preference for Richmond School, with 28 St Mary's children starting their secondary education there, compared with just three at Risedale.

In 1998, governors of Richmond School requested that St Mary's be included in their catchment area - a request that was repeated by parents, governors and the headteacher at St Mary's, in 2000.

However, North Yorkshire County Council's education department has yet to be swayed by their arguments.

A report which outlines the pros and cons of a new partnership will be tabled when the authority's Richmondshire area committee meets, in Richmond, on Monday.

Bolton-on-Swale's case for a new partnership with Richmond School is built on a number of points, not least of which is Risedale's links with the military.

There is concern that service postings can result in a high pupil turnover, unsettling children during their education, while more changes are forced on teenagers who chose to stay for sixth form education, as Risedale does not cater for them. It is also argued that community links are stronger between Richmond and Bolton-on-Swale, with frequent bus services linking the two, as well as after-school activities such as drama, music, swimming and other sports.

However, a report compiled by the county council's education director, Cynthia Welbourne, points out that the authority would incur extra costs if it had to provide more home-to-school transport from Bolton-on-Swale to Richmond.

She says: "Less than half the pupils at Risedale are from forces' backgrounds and private housing developments within Risedale's area, at Walkerville, Regent's Park and Arras Lines, will further affect the balance."

Ms Welbourne adds: "There would be additional revenue costs associated with any change of normal area secondary school provision.

"It is possible that a decision for change in this case could set a precedent for other parts of the county, again with revenue consequences."