REDDITCH MP Karen Lumley has voiced concerns over plans for two town schools to adopt the two-tier education system.

Tudor Grange Academy and Ridgeway Middle School have been given the go-ahead by the Regionals Schools Commissioner Pank Patel for controversial age change proposals.

The proposals now mean that Tudor Grange Academy will take in year 7 and 8 pupils (a secondary school age range of 11-18 years).

Ridgeway Middle School will move from being a middle school to a secondary school. It will go from providing education to nine to 13-year-olds and instead teach pupils aged 11 to 16.

It will still take in Year 5 and 6 children until at least 2018/19.

In the past critics have said the move to a two-tier system, instead of a three-tier education system, would destabilise the town’s middle schools and could lead to closures and school mergers.

Mrs Lumley recently met Mr Patel and officials from the Educational Funding Authority.

She voiced her own concerns, as well as those of her constituents and other schools, in an open and frank discussion with the commissioner, who is responsible for making decisions about the academies and free schools in local authorities.

Speaking after the meeting, the MP said: “He (Mr Patel) was left in no doubt as to how seriously I view this issue and the strength of feeling amongst my constituents.

"I explained to him that the timing of this, with the uncertainty that a General Election brings anyway, is the worst it could be.

"He said that this was the only time a change could have been announced in order to coincide with admissions policies and not risk wreaking havoc with pupil allocation.

"I have said all along that local people must be consulted and that a collaborative approach is absolutely required. That's why I so vocally opposed these changes the last time around and why I organised the pyramid meetings to have all views aired."

Mrs Lumley added: "I made quite clear to the commissioner that an explanation on school places was needed quickly to give clarity to parents. I will be ensuring that the guarantees we need are made in the coming days."

Mr Patel has agreed to visit Redditch after the General Election on Friday, May 15 when he will talk to headteachers, governors and other local stakeholders in the hope that he is able to alleviate concerns.

A statement from Tudor Grange Academy said: "The governors recognise that this consultation has been difficult for all parties. There is now open dialogue between all schools in the pyramid and all have made their commitment to the provision of an outstanding education for all students within our community."

A statement released from Ridgeway Middle School said: "We appreciate that the last 10 months have been difficult for everyone linked to the school as well as the wider community.

"The uncertainty around the future of Ridgeway has been a concern for all of our stakeholders and we are pleased that we now have a final decision.

"Throughout this process, we have been committed to providing an educational solution for our local community and we would like to thank everyone who has supported us through this challenging period.

"We would like to take this opportunity to reassure parents that, as throughout this process to date, there will be no immediate apparent change or disruption to the children currently in our school."

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