Free school triplets rejected three times

Triplets who were turned away from three local primary schools are among the first to start at a new London free school set up because of a lack of places in Redbridge.

Four year old girls Rija and Hiba and their brother Aayan will start at the Aldborough E-ACT school tomorrow.

Their parents Faisal and Farhana Shaukat tried to get them into state primary schools near their home in Ilford, but they were oversubscribed.

Mr Shaukat said: "We were unable to get into some of the local schools in our area that we really wanted. We were offered a place at the school that was fourth on our list - the one we ranked lowest and didn't want to go to. So when we heard about this free school we really wanted to apply. Our triplets want to be at the same school."

They were born after their mother underwent fertility treatment in Pakistan. Mr Shaukat, 41, an IT lecturer at Halifax college in Harrow, said: "I see the advantages of an independent charity running schools, delivering quality education with a modern approach and having an excellent track record."

The triplets were turned away from Downshall primary school and Christchurch in Ilford and Barley Lane in Essex.