Members of Oakbank Action Group have voiced concern over proposals to turn Parkside Middle School at Cullingworth into a secondary school.

The action group says the proposed new secondary school in Cullingworth would mean a smaller, weaker Oakbank which it fears could lower education standards.

Under its controversial schools shake-up Bradford council has earmarked Oakbank for expansion, nearby Bronte Middle for closure and Cullingworth First for an upgrade to primary-school status on the Parkside Middle site.

Oakbank Action Group wants to see Bronte used as part of a spilt site with Oakbank. The Bronte site would cater for around 750 key stage three pupils, aged 11-13.

Governors at Parkside have submitted proposals to the school review team at Bradford council for a secondary school, with provision for around 1,000 pupils - double its current intake. If the proposals are accepted by Bradford council, the school would require new buildings to increase the physical capacity of the site.

Val Wright, of Oakbank Action Group says: "Taking children out of Oakbank would be the only way to make the Cullingworth secondary school viable. There aren't enough children in its feeder area. This would mean taking more money out of Keighley education.

"Financially it makes no sense. There are excellent school buildings and sports grounds at Bronte Middle School's site, which would cost very little to bring up to standard. Why spend money demolishing Bronte and spend even more building a new secondary school elsewhere? What has Bradford got against Bronte?"

Members believe that a new secondary school at Culling-worth would take pupils from rural areas such as Oxenhope, Stanbury, Haworth and Lees to make up its numbers. Traditionally, children from these villages have been fed into Oakbank.

Funding for schools is worked out according to the number of pupils - more pupils means more available funds.

The move for secondary education in Cullingworth has received overwhelming support from residents in and around the village.

More than 90 per cent of the 915 parents who filled in a school questionnaire were in favour of secondary education at Parkside.

The proposals have also received the backing of MP Chris Leslie and Margaret Eaton, leader of the council's opposition Tory group.

A petition has also been delivered to the review team by Denholme town council, which has campaigned for more secondary school choice.

Parents in rural villages like Denholme and Cullingworth argue that their choice of secondary education is now limited to Beckfoot Grammar at Bingley.

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