Schools facing the axe under radical new plans to change the district's education system may be thrown a new lifeline.

Labour leaders have promised a third round of consultations - but the process has been denounced as a "sham" by the opposition.

More than 100 parents, pupils and teachers who besieged City Hall last night during an emotionally-charged debate over the school closures were given fresh hope.

Education chiefs told the scores of people crammed into the Council chamber that no closures or changes had yet been laid in stone.

While there are no likely changes to plans to scrap the middle school tier, some schools earmarked for closure were given fresh hope.

Education chairman Jim Flood said today: "I fully expect there to be changes. These are preliminary proposals I would expect members of the public to put forward proposals to complement or replace this."

He said he wanted considered representations, not hundreds of photocopies of the same letter. "People should try to respond on the basis of local knowledge such as children in the area and availablity of school sites."

But he warned that people putting forward alternative plans should realise the effects on other schools and must fit into an overall plan. Members of the public have until May 29 to give their views.

Tory leader Dale Smith said: "The forthcoming consultation will prove to be a sham, indeed a shambles".

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, Liberal Democrat leader, said: "People should be given the real facts if this consultation is not to be a sham.

"Judging by the sheer numbers of people who have turned up for this meeting, it is clear that there is a strong element of distrust."

Coun Smith called for the shake-up to be put on ice for a year to allow a more detailed report to be prepared. But his amendment was defeated.

Currently, 70 schools across Bradford are facing the axe as the Council established a two-tier system of primary and secondary schools.

The changes will be finalised by the education committee on June 23 before being submitted to the Government for approval.

Deputy education chairman Susanne Rooney said: "I promise you that we will review these proposals. We will listen to parents and teachers so that we can find the right solution for the whole of Bradford."

Pupils, teachers and parents from Ashlands First School, Oldfield First, Leaventhorpe Middle, Stocks Lane First, Parkside Middle, Bronte Middle, Heaton Middle, and Hilltop CE First lobbied last night's education committee meeting. One of the parents' banners read: "Forget Titanic, This is a Worse Disaster."

Joan Peel, whose son, Christopher, ten, goes to Parkside Middle, said: "We have our children at such a wonderful school and it is being taken away from us. It is absolutely devastating."

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