PARENTS and residents are being urged to speak up about plans to close primary schools in Otley.

Leeds City Council has announced a £750,000 reorganisation of primary school provision in the town by replacing three infant schools, one junior and one primary with three 'new' primary schools.

Now, concerned residents will get the chance to question education chiefs at two public meetings in the town at the start of next month.

Parents have also been given a month to study the proposals in detail and to fill in questionnaires.

Leeds plans to close All Saints Infants, Ashfield Infants, Westgate Infants, All Saints Junior and Thomas Chippendale.

And if everything goes to plan, they will be replaced by new primary schools for five to 11 year olds at All Saints Infants, Ashfield Infants and Westgate Infants.

Both meetings will be led by Eric Reed, acting director of education, and Councillor Tom Murray, executive board member for lifelong education and leisure.

Mr Reed said: "Otley is one of the areas of Leeds where there is a large and growing number of unfilled school places.

"We really do need to review the education provision in the area as some of the schools have become so small that there is a real danger they will no longer be financially viable and too expensive to maintain in light of limited resources."

He added: "One of the advantages of the proposals would be that the majority of children would no longer have to change school when they are seven years old, this would reduce disruption and provide them with greater continuity in their education."

And Councillor Tom Murray, executive board member for lifelong learning and leisure, added: "I fully understand that many parents, children and staff are greatly concerned by these proposed changes and we really do need to hear the views of the people most directly affected by them.

"Such decisions cannot be taken lightly and we will be making every effort to make sure any disruption to staff and children is reduced to a minimum."

Around 800 consultation papers, which include the detailed proposals and a questionnaire, have been sent out to staff, governors and parents of pupils of the schools.

The council is asking that the filled in questionnaires are returned by April 23.

Education officers are also due to hold meetings with staff and governors this month.

Written comments can be sent to Eric Reed, acting director of education, Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds. LS2 8DT.

l Public meetings will be held on Tuesday, April 3 from 7pm at All Saints Junior School, North Parade, Otley; and on Thursday, April 5 from 7pm at Thomas Chippendale Primary School.

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