TIME is running out for people to comment on the planned reorganisation of Otley primary schools.

Education Leeds wants to close five primary schools in the town and reopen three - at All Saints Infants, Lisker Drive; Ashfield Infants, Weston Lane, and Westgate Infants, Scarborough Road.

But whereas Westgate and Ashfield will have a change of character - allowing them to retain teachers and governors, All Saints Infants staff will have to reapply for their old jobs.

On Wednesday, June 18, the consultation period comes to an end with Leeds City Council's Executive Board expected to make a final decision on August 22.

All Saints Juniors, North Parade, and Thomas Chippendale, Weston Ridge, which will close if the plans go ahead, have launched appeals.

And All Saints Infants has called on Education Leeds to treat it the same as Ashfield and Westgate and let it reopen under a change of character.

But the parochial church council of All Saint's Parish Church, which is in favour of All Saints Junior School site, is calling on all schools to be treated the same and for Education Leeds to return to its original proposal to close and then reopen all schools - with all staff having to apply or re-apply for the jobs.

The Rev Graham Buttanshaw, Vicar of All Saints, said Education Leeds had bowed to public pressure by allowing a change of character at Westgate and Ashfield.

"It is not surprising that parents at these excellent schools wish their children to continue in a similar school environment, but the reorganisation will mean that all schools are going to be very different in character.

"Education Leeds would have done better to stick to their original principles," he said.

Mr Buttanshaw added: "The PCC sympathises with All Saints Infant and Nursery School, but believes that the solution is not to extend that school by change of character to a primary school, but for Education Leeds to reinstate their earlier decision to close all schools and have a level playing field whereby all children and staff begin together at new schools."

l In May, Leeds City Council's Executive Board rubber-stamped the proposals and gave the go-ahead to the publication of statutory notices.