Shake-up could see end of 'middle schools'

The restructuring of secondary schools in Leicestershire has taken a major step forward after the Government said it was likely to contribute millions of pounds sooner than expected.

The county's school map is set to be changed forever in a project education officials describe as a "radical" transformation.

It is likely to spell the end of the middle school system in many areas.

Education bosses at County Hall have been working on plans to get Government cash for some time, but it now looks like they will become a reality sooner than expected.

It was expected that the Government would not give the cash until 2012 at the earliest, but it has now indicated it could offer funds as early as next year.

Officials have drawn up a timetable which would see schools in Loughborough and Quorn revamped first, and be completed by 2014 at a cost of about £80 million.

Schools in the Hinckley and Earl Shilton area would be next in line, followed by those in North West Leicestershire and Shepshed.

It would cost £100 million each to rebuild or refurbish the schools in both these areas.

No concrete proposals have been revealed, though most of the money would be spent on remodeling and rebuilding existing schools.

Councillor Ivan Ould, cabinet member for education, said: "We hope to get several waves of investment to improve schools."

As well as signalling the end of the middle school system, the changes are also likely to see children leaving primary school at 10 rather than 11.

Father-of-three Simon Ghent, of Loughborough, has spearheaded the One Through School campaign, calling for an end to the middle school system in that area.

He said: "The whole campaign is based around ensuring our children got continuity in their education, which will have benefits in their results at 16."