AN MP has waded into a row over school placements after parents in the Dengie discovered their child would be sent dozens of miles away – despite having a secondary school on their doorstep. Maldon MP John Whittingdale has been contacted by a number of parents worried about their allocated places at secondary schools, After hearing these concerns, he met with Essex County Council leaders to discuss the matter. John Whittingdale MP said: “I fully understand their concern and agree that it is wholly unrealistic to expect children to travel such distances on a daily basis. “I have met with Ray Gooding, Cabinet Member for Education, and Clare Kershaw, Director for Education, at Essex County Council.