PARENTS fighting to save a middle school from closure have branded the county council's proposed education shake-up as a threat to their community.The radical overhaul, which has not yet been agreed by the full council, would see Suffolk's 40 middle schools scrapped in favour of a two-tier education system of primaries and secondaries.

PARENTS fighting to save a middle school from closure have branded the county council's proposed education shake-up as a threat to their community.

The radical overhaul, which has not yet been agreed by the full council, would see Suffolk's 40 middle schools scrapped in favour of a two-tier education system of primaries and secondaries.

But opposition to the move is mounting, and on Tuesday night a meeting was held at Bacton Community Middle School, near Stowmarket, to establish a new action group - Parents Action for Children's Education.

Sarah Stringer, chairwoman of the new group and a governor for two local schools, said: “Parents feel there is a fundamental threat to the foundation of our community and that awareness of the School Organisation Review has not been raised sufficiently.

“We urge parents to sign the petition, which is in every post office and local shop, and to lobby their local county councillor and MP.”

Patricia O'Brien, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for children, schools and young people's services, said: “If the council approve the proposals for change on March 22, they will take place over three distinct phases.

“There will be no structural changes to schools in the first phase before September 2009, at the earliest.”