The historic move to abolish Bradford's outdated three-tier schools system was today approved by the district's education chiefs.

Bradford Council's education committee voted 8-2 in favour of converting schools into a two-tier system of primary and secondary schools in line with more than 90 per cent of the rest of the country.

This will mean that all First, Middle and Upper schools will go and children will only have one break in their normal school education at the age of 11. Up to 70 school closures are forecast.

The future of individual schools will be announced next week.

Labour councillor Joan Tough, who was involved in the early years of the three-tier system set up in 1969, said it was time to move on. "I have been committed to the Middle School system in principle and philosophy and a lot of good work has been done by Middle Schools," she said.

"National conditions have changed and have made it more difficult for Middle Schools to work. We have become isolated and that has great implications for the development of our schools and the opportunities for going forward."

Opposition members argued that the evidence collated by the Council's review team to support the change was not conclusive and had not been fully costed out.

Tory education spokesman Dale Smith warned: "This will bring disaster to Bradford for decades to come. The system cannot stand the proposed upheaval and neither the Government nor this Council will fund this restructuring adequately."

The Liberal Democrats also had grave reservations about two-tier. Spokesman Councillor David Ward questioned whether it would deliver value for money, higher standards or social harmony.

Teacher representatives on the committee also raised concerns.

Sue Arloff, representing teachers of children aged under 13, said: "The review has not produced evidence that Middle Schools have been unsuccessful. The real reason for the low level of achievement is more to do with the lack of funding."

Stuart Davies, representing teachers of pupils over 13, asked for assurances to be given that all school staff would be treated fairly in the shake-up.

Education director Diana Cavanagh said discussions were ongoing with the unions.

Both education chairman Jim Flood and his deputy Suzanne Rooney said no guarantees could be given that the changes would definitely raise standards, but they had great faith that the authority was making the right decision.

The full Council, due to meet tonight, was expected to approve the decision.

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