Opposition group call for more time
CAMPAIGNERS battling to save the 45 middle schools threatened with closure are calling for education bosses to extend the consultation period.
The chairman of Northumberland Education Action Group (NEAG), which is campaigning to save the current three-tier education system, has called for the public to have more time to have their say.
Joe Ronan said: "There is a lot in the plan but there are also a lot of details missing from it.
"Details on how it will be financed and the treatment on the educational differences between the two and three tiers have been very thin on the ground and subjective.
"The consultation period is very short and I think the council should look at extending it.
"The public need a lot of time to form their views on this."
Brain Thompson, a member of The Missing Option group, made up of parents from Bedlington who are also fighting to keep their middle school open, also criticised the proposals.
He said: "The plan has made me think that the council cannot afford to do this and that is why it is proposing to take so long doing it.
"It's a massive amount of money and from what I have seen from the plan so far, I do not think it's very innovative and it seems to focus on the two-tier option too much."
The county council's director of education Brian Edwards said: "With the approval of full council on December 8, there will be consultation across the county seeking general comment on the document up to March 1.
"Throughout January and February there will be special area committees, roadshows and a help desk established.
"The outcome of this general consultation will be reported back to full council and in April the authority will consider whether it wishes to proceed to making any formal proposals for individual schools or partnerships.
"Following this stage, each individual school and partnership will be fully consulted.
"Parents will also be invited to make comments.
"We are doing everything we can to ensure everyone with an interest in education in Northumberland has their say - everything we are proposing to do is included in the plan."
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Monday 21 May 2012
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