CONTROVERSIAL proposals to reorganise schools in the Stowmarket, Stowupland and Thurston areas were today shelved by Suffolk County Council.

The move comes after months of planning and increasing hostility from parents and teachers.

And the news prompted anger from teachers’ union the NUT, whose local chairman Graham White described the situation as “A total mess.”

County councillor with responsibility for children and schools Graham Newman today wrote to fellow councillors telling them of the decision to shelve the proposals because of the uncertain financial situation facing the county.

He said: “This is not a situation anyone of us wants, nor is it a decision that has been taken lightly, but equally it is a sensible one given the financial circumstances which have become clear over the past few weeks.

“The County Council’s commitment to the School Organisation Review has not changed, with more than two thirds of the review now underway.

“We will continue to work hard to improve standards for young people across the county and we will make the best use of all future funding to ensure this happens.”

For more details and reaction, see tomorrow’s Evening Star.