PARENTS and teachers from across Ponteland met last week over controversial proposals to move to a two-tier system.

Next week, on May 11, consultation on proposals to re-introduce a two-tier school system to the Ponteland area will end.

Under the new system Belsay, Whalton, Heddon on the Wall, Darras Hall, Ponteland and Stamfordham first schools and Richard Coates CofE Middle School would become primary schools.

The primary schools would feed into Ponteland High School.

Ponteland County Middle School, had been earmarked for closure before it was given permission to convert to academy status.

On April 23 and April 28 consultation events were held.

Headteacher of Ponteland Community High School, Kieran McGrane, explained that he was in favour of a move to a two-tier system which would see the school take in children from 11-years-old.

He said: “You have your own staff who teach years seven and eight and have continuity of curriculum, effectively over five years.

“All students experience the same level of teaching and facilities.

“There is opportunity here to have once in a generation investment in education in Ponteland to give students the facilities they deserve.”

At the event, parents and residents were invited to comment on outline proposals for a combined school and leisure site in the south-east of Ponteland.

However, many of the parents and residents at the consultation event remained staunchly against a move to a two-tier school system.

One local parent said: “In terms of disruption, such a major upheaval would damage a generation of children.”

Ponteland resident Ian McClean, who has a child at Ponteland Community Middle school, said: “I think to have three tier and two tier running side by side isn’t the best for any of the schools.

“The system works well in Ponteland. I would like to keep it as it is but with the schools working better together.”

This sentiment was echoed by Ponteland Middle School headteacher Caroline Pryer.

She said: “We are very interested in returning to the Multi-Academy Trust conversation. We’re interested in trying to build bridges and we have been successful to a point.

“There are new questions coming now regarding whether pupils can join the high school from year nine.

“I think we’ve got to wait until we get to the end of the consultation to know what the outcome is.”