Northamptonshire three-tier education consultation agreed

Consultation over plans to end three-tier education in Northamptonshire has been agreed by the county council.

Schools in Oundle, King's Cliffe and Thrapston are the only ones in the county to use a lower, middle and upper school system.

Northamptonshire County Council has agreed to consult on the "principle of change" to a two-tier school system.

That consultation will be carried out with schools and the community before more detailed proposals are drawn up.

The three-tier area of north east Northamptonshire is currently home to nine lower, two middle and one upper school (Prince William).

The council said there are 255 spare places in the lower schools, 143 in the middle schools and up to 335 at the upper school.

A council spokesman said: "If further proposals emerge, it is intended to implement them as soon as practicable to reduce the impact of uncertainty for schools involved."