CONTROVERSIAL plans by Tudor Grange Academy to change the three-tier education system have been blocked, it can be revealed.

Redditch MP Karen Lumley has received written confirmation from the Minister of State For Schools David Laws MP that the move will not happen.

The academy, formerly Kingsley College which closed in March, wanted to take in year 7 and 8 pupils (a secondary school age range of 11-18 years) from September next year.

Critics have said the move would destabilise the town’s middle schools and could lead to closures, mergers and the creation of a two-tier education system by stealth.

The minister stated that the admission arrangements for the move would have had to have been determined by April and that any change of age range proposals are subject to the possibility of objections by the schools adjudicator.

Mrs Lumley, who expressed concerns about the speed at which the proposals suggest a change would be made, said: "I have been in conversation with the department of education ever since these proposals were made and have met both with officials and the minister, keeping them informed about the consultation, my deep reservations and the feelings of Redditch parents.

"I have said from the start that these proposals were not right for our town at this time.

"I’m glad that I can now say to Redditch parents with certainty that a change will not be happening.”