Parents in Cullingworth have voted overwhelmingly in favour of using the village's Parkside Middle School for secondary education.

More than 90 per cent of parents who returned questionnaires sent out by Parkside were in favour of using the current site as an upper school. Of the 915 questionnaires returned to the school only six people objected to the idea put forward by the school governors.

Under current proposals from Bradford council's school review team, Parkside will close and re-open as a two-form entry primary school, replacing Cullingworth First School.

Head-teacher Robert Quart-ermain says: "We have had considerable success with the questionnaires, and the measure of support has been quite overwhelming. The governors are delighted with the situation, and convinced more than ever that the proposals have the full weight of the community's support behind them.

"It is a very positive situation and the governors are now ready to submit the proposals to the review team."

Chairman of the governors Robin Jackson adds: "We feel we have got a strong case for getting secondary education on the Parkside site. Parents and other schools in the catchment area are very supportive." MP Chris Leslie is also supporting the bid.

The school is proposing conversion to a school for 11-18-year-olds with provision for around 1,000 pupils.

Parkside currently has a capacity for 500 pupils. If its proposals are accepted by the council the school would require substantial investment to increase its capacity.

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