The radical shake-up of schools in Bradford, which could see the axe fall on as many as 70 schools, has prompted a mixed reaction from across the district.

Adrian Pearce, chairman of governors at Hainsworth Moor Middle School in Queensbury, said Bradford's education chiefs gave parents no option but to vote for the two-tier system.

"This was a foregone conclusion in most people's minds and I think the consultation questionnaire was structured along those lines,'' he said.

"We are being forced into something in Queensbury which we didn't ask for. We have full schools and good results. It is going to make it extremely difficult for teachers to carry on working until the closures are announced."

Mark Newman, National Council member of the National Association of Head Teachers and head at Denholme First School, said: "We are now waiting to hear the outcome for individual schools in a fortnight and we are already in discussion with the LEA about conditions of service."

John Andrew, chairman of Bradford South Governors' Forum, said: "Middle schools have an important role to play in the education of children. They are not the cause of low standards; it's a lack of money that's the problem."

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney said it was the right decision but it was clear there was going to be a lot of upheaval.

The five MPs from the area would be looking for an early meeting with Education Secretary David Blunkett to look for extra capital spending to pay for a building programme to expand a number of schools.

Keighley MP Ann Cryer said: "I am hoping we don't get large primary schools which I don't think would be helpful and just replace one set of problems with another.

"What we need is small primary schools within a village or a community although I recognise that could be quite expensive."

Shipley MP Chris Leslie backed the recommendations but reserved unconditional support until the outcome for individual schools is announced at the end of the month.

Mike Joyce of Mandale Middle said: "There is now going to be a tremendous amount of chaos and the expectation that it is going to raise standards will take years."

June Cawkwell of Delf Hill Middle, the first purpose-built middle school in Bradford, said: "I don't know if it will improve standards. We will have to watch this space and see if it has done in five years' time."

Ian Davy, secretary of National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers in Bradford, said: "Our union position has been that there were too many schools in Bradford and a reduction should push capital costs down."

Ebad Mirza, head at Frizinghall Middle School, said: "This is an historical move for Bradford and a momentous decision. We will have to see how it goes from here."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.