Authority consults on plans to do away with current three-tier arrangement

COUNTY Hall chiefs are looking to close two middle schools as part of a controversial education shake-up in Craven.

Ingleton Middle School and Settle Middle School would shut their doors as part of the proposals to reorganise school provision in the area – moving away from three tier arrangements.

Under the current system, children transfer twice, from primary to middle school at age 10 and then to Settle College at age 13.

The new system would reduce the number of times children need to change schools and bring North Craven into line with the rest of North Yorkshire and most of the country.

It is also designed to fit in with primary and secondary curriculum key stages, says North Yorkshire County Council which will be consulting on the proposals.

Children would remain at primary school until the age of 11 and then transfer only once, to a single school based on the current Settle Middle and Settle College sites which would serve youngsters aged from 11 to 18.

Education for young people over the age of 16 will be provided by Settle College with other local educational providers.

County Councillor John Watson, North Yorkshire’s executive member for schools, said: “There can be particular challenges in providing opportunities for children, young people and their families in very rural areas like North Yorkshire. We feel the time has come to re-evaluate whether it is appropriate to continue with the current system of middle schools in North Craven.

“We have looked at a range of options and believe that there is a better system for the area which will allow for the highest -quality educational provision on a long-term sustainable basis. In taking any decision we want to hear the views of people across the area, particularly parents, and we would ask that they take time to look at the proposal and send us their views.”

According to the county council, the proposals aim to address long-standing concerns about falling pupil numbers, the financial viability of schools and ensuring the breadth and quality of the education on offer to children and young people across the area for the future.

But the proposals have already been met by criticism.

Settle trader Sue Amphlett, whose children are former pupils of Settle Middle School, said: “It would be a crying shame if it closed down. It is fabulous togive these children that in between jump from primary school to Settle College. I cannot see that there would be any person round here who wants the school closing. I think the majority will be wanting to keep the school open.”

The consultation opens on September 20 and will run until November 5.

It is expected that a final decision will be taken in February 2011 by the county council’s executive. If the proposals were to be agreed the new arrangements would be implemented from September 2012.

Ingleton Middle School has 160 pupils on its roll while Settle has 262.

North Yorkshire County Council insisted the review was not about it making savings but about making sure the schools in the area “are able to offer the best possible range of opportunities, securely and affordably”.

A spokesman said: “At the moment these schools, collectively, are operating at a considerable deficit – in excess of 300,000. Reorganisation will help with that, but it’s not the only consideration. The other important factors are quality – whether children progress as well as they could – and opportunity.”