Bradford education chiefs today sounded the death knell for small schools across the district.

The proposed changes will dramatically cut the number of schools with less than 200 pupils.

The move will be devastating for many Bradford communities that cherish the caring and intimate environment that small, first schools offer.

But they have had to be propped up with subsidies from other schools to keep them operating - and that has been seen by many headteachers and the education authority as a waste of the resources at Bradford's disposal.

The review team was also concerned that small schools struggled to cover the curriculum effectively.

One teacher in a small first school would have to deliver the 10 subjects of the curriculum, while responsible for classes of mixed ability and mixed ages. While many cope and provide a good quality of education, the devotion and dedication required can be difficult to sustain over longer periods of time.

Only three primary schools - Laycock First and Stanbury First, both near Keighley, and Woodlands First in Oakenshaw - with a maximum capacity of 105 pupils, will be established.

The authority expects all the other primaries to have at least 210 children.

Other small schools may be merged and relocated to a middle school site. For example, Bierley CE First and Hambledon First will move to Gregory Middle.

Some will be expanded on their current sites such as Harden First near Bingley.

Small upper schools will also become larger. Bowling Community College, which now has about 450 pupils would be expected to take in 750 students, excluding the sixth-form; Eccleshill Upper which now has about 600 pupils would attract a further 300; Belle Vue Boys which has about 500 pupils would also expand to have 900 places plus a sixth form and Wyke Manor, with about 500 students, will have to more than double in size to accommodate 1,200 pupils.

Education chairman Jim Flood said: "Small schools are an emotive concept because they are often at the heart of a community.

"But we are not making these changes for change's sakes but for a better educational environment.

"Staff are stretched when they have to cover the whole curriculum, particularly in first schools and with these changes we see the opportunity to put in place more teachers with a specialist subject knowledge."

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