A TOP Bolton state school comes under the spotlight in a hard-hitting TV documentary tomorrow.

Canon Slade School is Britain's most over-subscribed church state school.

And investigators for the Channel Four programme Witness will highlight what they call the "hypocrisy, discrimination and disputes" caused by the controversial entry system.

Four Bolton families have been selected to take part in the documentary and will reveal the heartache which has affected hundreds of Bolton children turned away from the school this year.

Canon Slade's huge popularity, which saw more than 400 children chasing just 240 entry places, will be scrutinised.

And the programme will also look at Canon Slade policy, which demands children attend church weekly, with at least one parent, for four years before admission.

The Canon Slade points system has caused more than 170 families to fail entry. More than 54 have appealed against the decision.

The programme's investigators also reveal that parents are resorting to subterfuge in a bid to get their children enrolled.

Headteacher, Mr Peter Shepherd, is hoping the programme will draw attention to the school's high academic success.

"It seems to me that Bolton parents are tripping over themselves to get their children to come here.

"It must be a reflection on the school's high success rate," he said.

Witness (Channel Four, Tuesday, 9pm).

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