Parents and teachers have voiced concern at the prospect of children as young as four being taught alongside 12-year-olds.

Under the proposals, middle schools which become primaries would have four-year-old children with pupils aged nine-12. If the proposals get the go-ahead the transition would begin in September 1999, with reception-aged children moving into newly-created primary schools, and year eight pupils (aged 13-plus) moving to secondary schools. Children aged five-eight would remain at first school.

According to the model, pupils aged four would spend from September 1999 to July the following year in a school where the next youngest person would be nine years old.

The table below shows the proposed models.

Many people fear the young children would become isolated in a large school containing children who are considerably older.

David Brett, head-teacher of Calversyke Middle School, says: "It is not going to be an ideal situation for younger children. Schools will have to handle the transition very carefully.

"I don't think it is an impossible situation, but a problem may arise because the youngest children won't have other groups their age to mix with."

Bradford council education officer Dennis Williams says it is highly unlikely young children would be put in this kind of situation.

He says: "I certainly wouldn't envisage it happening at the moment. It will require more consultation on the subject before anything can be revealed. In exceptional circumstances it might happen, but we would always talk to all of the people concerned and anything we do will be with the best intentions of the children.

"The bottom line assurance is that no pupil will have more transfers of schools than under the current system. That is the commitment we have given and it will underpin any future arrangements."

The four-year strategy would gradually transfer years seven and eight pupils to secondary school, and move first school pupils year-by-year into the newly-created primary schools.

By the year 2003 all of the former middle school sites should be converted into primary schools catering for children aged four-11.

It is a slightly different situation for first and upper schools which are staying at the same site, and require building work to accommodate a new larger intake.

The model for these schools involves a period of transition starting in the year 2000, and finishing in September 2001.

This would involve moving years five and six pupils from middle schools into first schools which have converted into primaries.

The remaining years seven and eight pupils will move during the same period to local upper schools which are changing to secondary schools.

It is highly likely that during the coming months of consultation, the plans for admissions will come under scrutiny and possible change.

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