EDUCATION bosses have rejected an appeal by a Swindon teenager who wants to go to the school closest to her home.

But 13-year-old Tanya Lowry may now be able to get back into education after an offer of free transport to a school further away from her house in Stratton.

Instead of joining other pupils at lessons, Tanya has been trying to teach herself from school books bought by her mother.

She only moved to Swindon in the summer and by then all the schools closest to her house were full.

Only Churchfields School in Old Walcot had spare places but Tanya would have to get on two buses by herself to get there as her mother, Michelle Cummins, works early in the morning.

Ms Cummins decided to lodge an appeal against Kingsdown School's decision not to take her daughter and a board met with her on Monday evening.

But they have now told her they have decided not to uphold her appeal because admitting Tanya would lead to overcrowding.

A letter outlining the board's reasons says: "The committee decided Kingsdown School was not under a duty to accept your application because to do so would prejudice the provision of efficient education and efficient use of resources at the school, particularly by causing overcrowding.

"The committee also decided that the school's admission arrangements had been correctly applied. On balance the case for admitting Tanya did not outweigh the prejudice that would be caused to the school."

Both Tanya and her mother have been left very disappointed by the decision.

"I do understand the reasons but I still have a problem now," said Ms Cummins. "Sitting at home trying to study by herself is not doing Tanya any good."

But Ms Cummins has been told Tanya may now be entitled to free transport so she can go to Church-fields School without travelling along by herself in the dark which would solve her problems.

"I am just hoping that this definitely goes ahead so Tanya can get back to having a proper education," said Ms Cummins.