Tory politicians in Bradford have demanded assurances that the most radical shake-up of schools in 30 years will guarantee higher classroom standards.

Conservatives on Bradford Council claim the controlling Labour group is about to thrust a two-tier education system on to school governors to manage.

While Liberal Democrat councillors have attacked the failure of the education authority to produce a long-awaited independent consultant's report validating the schools review.

Labour education chairman Councillor Jim Flood said it would be sheer folly to issue any kind of guarantees and challenged the opposition to produce sensible alternative recommendations.

The row has emerged following proposals announced earlier this week by the education authority to replace first, middle and upper schools with primary and secondary schools.

Tory education spokesman Councillor Dale Smith said the review had failed to address issues including costs, parental preference, single-sex schools, social harmony and language barriers.

And he asked: "Will the recommendations beyond doubt raise standards across the district?"

Liberal Democrat education spokesman Councillor David Ward said he was furious that an independent consultant's report was not yet available.

"This is the only corroboration the review team has got for its conclusions. It is absolutely crucial and should be available now," he said.

Councillor Flood said the independent report would be available today, but defended the final review report.

He said: "The report proposes a change to a two-tier system. That is clearly argued and supported by the majority of people."

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