Bradford residents have until the end of next month to share their thoughts in the biggest-ever consultation on the future of Education in the district.

For the last couple of weeks Bradford Council has been encouraging people to fill in a questionnaire on its website or write in with their views on how education services can be improved in the district.

People have until the end of November to have their say on how satisfied they are with the education of children and young people and how education could be delivered better across the city.

Councillor Michael Kelly, the Council’s executive member for services to children and young people, said: “We have had a lot of very enthusiastic feedback so far and even now it’s still very early in the consultation process.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make real serious change here and design a service provision that is fit for the 21st century. All the ideas and suggestions will be taken into consideration in the deliberations following the consultation.”

The Council’s Programme Board for the Review of Education Services must produce a report on how education services can best be managed when the contract with private firm Serco, trading locally as Education Bradford, expires on July 29, 2011.

The document will be discussed by the Council’s executive body on December 8. Schools Secretary Ed Balls will decide whether to lift the restriction stopping the Council from delivering education services in Bradford after a critical Ofsted report in 2000.

Council leader Kris Hopkins chairs the Programme Board which includes group leaders of the Council’s Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green parties, the education spokesman for each group, head teachers and trade unions.

Coun Kelly, who is also on the board, said the programme board was meeting every two weeks.

“We can’t make our decision without the direction being lifted and in that respect, from a timing point of view, we expect to have an indication from the Secretary of State by no later than the end of next month,” he said.

“Meetings are being arranged between senior officers and the Department for Children, Schools and Families and our chief executive Tony Reeves.”