A BEDLINGTON headteacher from a middle school earmarked for closure has branded plans to change the education system as "shambolic".
Fred Forster, who is head of Meadowdale Middle School, said the proposals outlined by Northumberland County Council will cause 15 years of chaos and disruption for pupils.
He said: "I think the plan is shambolic.
"It proves my belief that the pl
an would impose a 15-year dark age which will descend on children in Northumberland.
"The council has done this because it has not got the cash.
"Education bosses are now saying they will take 12 years to do this and I feel it is because they have not got the money they were expecting.
"Changes for my school will not be taking place until 2012, but only last year I was told it would be happening in 2006.
"I have gained an extra six years now and it is because there is no money to do the work."
Mr Forster has urged parents who have fiercely campaigned to retain the three-tier system to carry on fighting to save their schools.
He added: "There will be a number of parents in Seaton Valley, which will see the first changes, who do not want this and will move their children to neighbouring authorities so they don't go through this change."
He added that council chiefs admitted that retaining the current three-tier was an option and would address the surplus places and poor buildings.
"I do not know how it can be more expensive to demolish the buildings and build from new rather than keep what we have and improve them," he said.
"I feel it is an
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opportunity for parents to carry on campaigning as it shows that this is going to stretch on and on and disrupt children.
"It is up to parents now to have the stamina and continue to agitate and campaign for what they believe is right for their children because I really feel this plan cannot go ahead."
However, the county council's executive member for children's services, Coun Jim Wright said: "Change is difficult, but doing nothing is not an option and we will only make progress if we work together on the challenges that face education in Northumberland.
"This is not about money. I know that we can drive education in Northumberland forward to reach the excellent standards that we all desire."
