Education bosses want to slash more than 195 places at district schools.

Primaries could be hardest-hit after Bradford Council announced proposals to axe places at eight schools and close one nursery.

If approved, the proposals will come into effect from September, 2008.

The shake-up has been announced two years after the final touches to a huge reorganisation of the district's education system. It changed from a three-tier to a two-tier primary and secondary system between 1999 and 2004.

Many of the schools affected are in outlying areas, with falling numbers reflecting population change.

Primaries set to lose 15 places each include: Guard House, Keighley; Ingrow, Keighley; Holycroft, Keighley; Swain House, Bradford; Aire View Infants, Silsden; Hothfield Junior, Silsden and Clayton Village, Bradford. St Columba's Catholic Primary, Dudley Hill is set to lose nine places. The nursery class at Poplars Farm Primary, Bradford, could also be closed.

The shake-up could also see 60 places lost at Greenhead High School, Keighley, with admissions dropping from 240 to 180, and 30 at Buttershaw High, Bradford, with admissions being restricted to 270 pupils - both from September 2008.

Ilkley Grammar has also independently announced it wants to cut admissions from 250 to 245 from September, 2007.

However, to help cope with the influx of young people into inner-city Bradford from outside the UK, it is proposed Westminster Church of England Primary, Undercliffe, Bradford, and Allerton Primary both increase intake from 45 to 60 from September, 2008.

Councillor Phil Thornton, chairman of the young people and education improvement committee, said the proposals reflect the natural flow and ebb of pupil numbers. "It's fair to say that it was a tremendously difficult job to take the district from a three to a two-tier system," said Coun Thornton (Lab, Windhill and Wrose).

"Looking back, we probably would have done things slightly differently. But, having said that, pupil numbers in inner-city Bradford have grown beyond our expectations. There are a significant number of eastern European people coming into Bradford.

"As a result of EU legislation the ports are open and the Council, quite legitimately, is expected to provide school places for their children. However, in areas including Baildon, Shipley and Greengates, Bradford loses pupils to schools over the border in Leeds."

Coun Thornton said he hoped job cuts will not be necessary: "I would like to think growing numbers of pupils in inner-city schools will mean teachers are required. New housing developments in many outer areas will also provide more pupils. But schools will have to look at their pupil numbers and allocate staffing levels accordingly."

Coun Dale Smith, executive member for children's services, said: "Surplus places are costly and these proposals would result in some additional funding becoming available to be distributed to other schools across the district.

"Alternative use of classrooms and buildings in schools with surplus places will also help to make better use of resources, while making sure we continue to offer facilities to schools and the wider community.

Anthony Mugan, head of Bradford Council's education client team, said: "These are still proposals and we are starting a consultation. Every year we review school places and meetings are held with head teachers, officers and governors to assess the situation, which can change annually."

He said no decision had yet been made to close the nursery class at Poplars Farm. "Schools themselves will need to make decisions on staffing in the light of their own circumstances," he said.

Philip Shackleton, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers' Bradford branch secretary, said: "Reorganisation always causes concern. What we have to do is live with that and minimise the effect on our members.

"Parents have the freedom to send children to the school they want them to attend - but this can cause problems.

"It's common sense to tighten up the system and reduce places if the pupils are not there - demographics change.

"It is true we also have to take into account families from eastern Europe and also the Philippines arriving."

Ian Murch, the NUT's Bradford secretary, said the Council needed to be especially careful when assessing school places needed in inner-city Bradford.

"One head teacher has told me he is getting up to ten children arriving each week. Demand for places will grow."

Coun David Ward (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley), said: "What needs to be taken into account is the impact the loss of places will have on communities, especially rural ones.

"Schools are an integral part of the community. We need to make sure the local communities are fully consulted as the process goes ahead."

Anyone affected by the proposals is invited to a meeting of the Young People and Education Improvement Committee at City Hall on Wednesday at 4.30pm.

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk