A decision to scrap first and middle schools and change to a two-tier system of education in the Spen Valley is set to be made next week.

Kirklees Council's cabinet is being recommended to adopt the new system within the Whitcliffe Mount pyramid of schools which affects Cleckheaton, Birkenshaw and Gomersal.

A report to the meeting on Wednesday follows consultation with parents, schools, staff and governors. If the meeting, at Cleckheaton Town Hall from 7pm, approves the two-tier recommendation, the next stage will be to draw up detailed proposals for implementing the changes.

At the moment children in the area transfer from first school to middle schools at the age of nine, then on to secondary schools at 13.

Councillor Jim Dodds, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "The three-tier system - which only a handful of local authorities in the country still have in place - has served the area for many years, but is now failing to deliver to children the high educational standards we are striving to achieve."

It could see the creation of two secondary schools and nine primary schools to cover the area, instead of the existing 17 schools, none of which have been classed as excellent or outstanding in the latest Ofsted inspections.

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