A new row erupted today over Bradford Council's schools review after parents involved in the fresh wave of consultations received letters saying they had a week to make their comments.

Angry families who were told the new consultation period would end on July 17 have described the letter which had gone out from the School Review team as misleading.

The letter tells parents that the consultation will end on July 17.

But it adds that any responses should be made in writing to the School Review office at Flockton House by next Monday.

The education committee agreed last week to conduct more consultations after amending its original recommendations.

Schools singled out for the axe under the final proposals protested that they were being given no time to put their case.

Parents, governors and schools were also concerned at the many other amendments.

But education committee chairman Councillor Jim Flood said they recognised that the amendments to proposals had taken some parents by surprise.

He said in order to be fair they would have fresh consultations with schools affected by the amendments. A final report will come back to the committee in September before proposals are submitted to the Department of Education.

But today Nick Brannan, a parent governor, at Low Ash School, Wrose, which faces closure under the amended proposals said: "The letter is totally misleading. It means that people will rush in their observations without having time to given them proper consideration."

He added: "This letter is totally misleading and completely wrong. I don't think it should have gone out."

Neil Donkin, head teacher of Eccleshill First School, said they would advise their parents to submit the observations by July 17.

Kath Quinn, who is fighting to save Woodend School, Windhill, from the axe, said parents should take the extra time.

"I am very surprised by this letter because the time the consultation was made very clear."

Audrey Raistrick, secretary of Ravenscliffe and Greengate Residents Association which is fighting to save Eccleshill Upper School from closure, said: "They are trying to get the responses in as soon as possible in order for them to prepare their case. This is totally unacceptable. It is disgraceful."

Coun Flood said they would accept observations up to July 17.

"But we are trying to get them in as quickly as possible,'' he said.

He added the wording of the letter was unfortunate.

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