JUDGMENT day has finally arrived for Burley-in-Wharfedale schools whose future is hanging in the balance under a sweeping shake-up of Bradford schools.

And a recommendation to go to the council's education committee on Tuesday, September 8, includes the closing of Burley C of E First, but the building of a new school on the site of Burley Middle School.

The proposals are a blow for parents who campaigned to save staff from Burley C of E First School.

Under original proposals in March this year, the first school was set to close with the middle school becoming a primary school for four to 11-year olds, with new staff, located at the current Langford Lane site.

But after a successful campaign, the Education Review Team amended its original proposals ruling that the middle school would close and the building would be taken over by first school staff.

However, the new county primary would lose its church status.

But after an about-turn, the review team is again recommending the closure of the first school with a new county school being built on the middle school site.

The existing Burley Woodhead CE First School will not be affected by the plans.

Councillor Suzanne Rooney, chairman of the review team, said: "It was clear from public consultation that the community wanted to maintain the ethos of Burley C of E First School.

"We thought we had cracked it by changing to county status but keeping the governors and staff from the first school.

"But the Department for Education has hinted that we can't do that."

Gary Shipley, chairman of the Parent Teacher Association at Burley CE First School, said he wasn't aware of any changes to the amended proposals as announced in June.

But he said: "If this means the first school is to close and all the staff are made redundant we are not going to be jumping for joy.

"I would be surprised to see what the authority's rationale is if there has been another change."

Church leaders were not prepared to comment on the plans until they have received a written report from the education authority.

"Middle school headteacher Angus MacIntosh also declined to comment.

The schools review story has lurched through an astonishing number of twists and turns since Bradford Council announced it would be joining with all but a handful of local authorities and moving to a two tier system.

Councillor Richard Wightman (Rombalds), the Conservative education spokesman, was angry about the council's decision.

He said: "The controlling group on the council have shown an utter contempt for parents, staff, school governors and church communities in Wharfedale by this proposal.

"I hope it is still not to late for them to to reconsider this appalling betrayal."

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