Before deciding to move to Irthlingborough from Rushden Adrian Millard and wife Debbie checked with schools that there would be places for each of their five children.

But after moving in February to Finedon Road, they were told that Amy, 13, would not be able to attend Huxlow Science College at the back of their new home.

Her sister, however, did get a place and her younger brother, who currently attends Irthlingborough Junior School, has been guaranteed a place in September.

Her two younger siblings attend Irthlingborough Infants School.

Mr Millard, 37, said: "Each school said there wouldn't be a problem. We had never moved our children's schools before so we thought that would be ok and that was how it was done.

"It wasn't until we were in the new house we found there was a problem."

Amy was told she would have to catch the bus to Wollaston Secondary School, changing at Wellingborough and Irchester – a round trip of about an hour a day, not including the time spent waiting to change buses.

Since then the council has offered to provide a taxi service but Amy is still unhappy.

Mr Millard said: "It is not just her school life which has suffered, it is her out-of-school life because she has no friends in her local area. It has knocked her confidence, she just wants to go to school with her siblings."

The family appealed, but were rejected, once again by telephone rather than in writing. They feel they have been mistreated, and that the school has not been open with them.

Huxlow headteacher Mich Malton said: "I am a parent as well as a headteacher and so I can understand and sympathise with Mr Millard and his family.

"However, in a situation when a year group is full, I have to follow the rules and procedures on admissions as laid down by the Departmen for Children, Schools and Families. This is what happened in this case."

Mr Millard said: "It is bad because it seems that anyone moving into the area can't get their children into their local school."