The major upheaval of the schools reorganisation seemed to drag on for an interminably long time, with schools and their pupils facing an uncertain future for many months. That was excusable to an extent. It is a major change from three tiers to two. It needed thinking through very carefully and then, as far as many schools were concerned, thinking through again.

However, it seemed at the start of the summer that everything was settled. Plans were laid and work was begun to prepare the schools for the change-over. Not everyone was happy, but at least they all knew what was happening.

But at Baildon the aftershocks continue. Education bosses have admitted that they got their sums wrong and have ordered yet another rethink. They had planned for eight forms of entry, each form consisting of 30 pupils. But now it seems that there will be only seven. There will not be as many new pupils each year as they had previously calculated.

That leaves the future of Ferniehurst First School in Cliffe Lane West in doubt, as well as throwing other schools in the village back into the melting pot.

It is an intolerable situation for schools, pupils and parents to find themselves in. The changes are due to take place next September, yet with less than a year to go no-one is now sure what those changes will be. The Council needs to come up with some sound decisions fast, to end the uncertainty once and for all. Meanwhile, it is to be hoped that the sums done for other parts of the district prove more accurate.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.