A fresh bout of campaigning involving schools across the district has been launched following Bradford Council's decision to backtrack on initial proposals for its education shake-up.

The shock announcement that five new schools have been earmarked for outright closure has sparked anger among parents, governors and staff.

Under the revised plans Eccleshill Upper School, Woodend Middle, Delph Hill Middle School, Shipley CE First and Undercliffe First will be scrapped.

The controversial decision looks set to trigger a new wave of campaigning. Hundreds of parents from Undercliffe First School have already pledged to stage a protest outside City Hall before Tuesday's education committee meeting.

Parents representing Woodend Middle School have launched a petition and the remaining schools are set to stage emergency meetings with parents and governors to discuss a plan of action.

And parents and residents have also started a campaign to help save Eccleshill Upper School from closure.

Dr Geoff Pelham, chair of governors at Undercliffe First School, said: "Looking at the results of the consultation, it seems those schools who shouted loudest about proposed closures came out of it well. We are prepared to shout just as loud."

Headteacher Liz Metcalfe said a series of protests earlier in the year by a handful of schools appeared to have worked. Of those taking part in the marches on Bradford's City Hall, Ashlands First School, Lilycroft First, Stocks Lane First and Horton Bank Top First all won reprieves.

She said: "We're just hoping that this campaign does the trick. Other organisations have said the closures will have an impact on members of staff, but that's for us to worry about. The children are our primary concern."

Ravenscliffe and Greengates Association organised the emergency meeting last night after Bradford Council revealed their decision to close Eccleshill Upper School. Protesters vowed to fight the authority and are pinning their hopes on a public inquiry.

Group chairman Dominic Sheeran said: "We are all disgusted with what has happened. We haven't had a proper chance to object to this move because it was never a proposal in the first place. Now the consultation period is over and we haven't been able to fight it. We were quite happy before that Eccleshill was going to retain a school within the area. Now we feel all the resources are being taken out of our community." Education committee chairman Jim Flood has rejected claims that amendments have been made as a result of the high-profile protests.

If the final proposals are approved, Bradford's £150million transformation from a three-tier to a two-tier system would see the closure of 81 schools - 21 first, two upper and all 58 middles.

Chris Malone, president of the National Association of Head Teachers and headteacher at Eccleshill Middle School, said she was sad and concerned for the heads, deputies and staff at the middle schools which would now close. She has appealed to the local authority to ensure they have the same opportunities to be put into posts as others.

Coun Flood said: "The consultation period has ended but obviously we will continue to listen to people's concerns." The final recommendations will go to the education committee on June 23 and, if approved, before the full council on July 14.

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