HEADTEACHERS in the Vale have warned the area could end up with a "dog's breakfast" of an education system if plans by two first schools in the area to take on an extra year group go ahead.

Plans by Honeybourne First School Academy and Bretforton First School to extend their schools to take on a Year 6 class in 2016 are currently in the consultation process.

But leaders of local middle schools, Blackminster and the De Montfort School, say the move - should it go ahead - could lead to a "mish mash" system that could cause children's education to suffer.

Currently children in this area of the Vale would attend a local first school before progressing to either Blackminster Middle School or the De Montfort School, formerly Simon De Montfort Middle School, in Year 6, where they stay until they finish Year 8.

The changes would give parents the option to keep their children at the school for a year longer, meaning they would complete their SAT exams at first school, or progress onto the middle school as they do now.

So far parents at the first schools have supported the move to create an extra year group, particularly as some send their children to high schools in Chipping Campden, which begin in Year 7.

Headteachers at the first schools say this is what's driving the move.

Elaine Huntington, head at Honeybourne First School, said at least 90 percent of her student's parents were in favour of the move and they wanted to give them the choice.

"The reasons for us consulting have come from our parents, who have been asking for a Year 6 for sometime," she said. "Given the legislation was changed last year we decided we would go to formal consultation to see whether it's a viable option.

"It's not to give us extra money or to boost our pupil numbers, it's because as a first school we don't cover all of Key Stage 2 here. They go to a new school for one year, during which they are required to take formal tests.

"We have concerns moving to a new school these children aren't able to show their best at Year 6, and these results reflect on our school. We feel it would be better to complete this in our school.

"We feel educationally it's the right thing to do for our children."

Mrs Huntington added that around 50 percent of the school's pupils went on to Chipping Campden School, which starts in Year 7, meaning they go to middle school for just one year.

The school already has the space and the finances to take on the extra year and should they decide to go ahead would make an application to the Secretary of State for Education by March 1.

Ayse Moseley, head at Bretforton First School, said they were also acting on the back of parent's requests and had their support.

"I think some of the issue is there is only one option for Year 6 education," she said. "For some parents who don't want the three tier option it's a limited choice.

"I think the transition comes at a tricky point. Logically Year 6, as part of Key Stage 2, is part of the primary education.

"It's quite fragmented at the moment but I think by extending to Year 6 it would give parents that choice.

"The problem with holding off, it just puts it off and puts it off."

But Lorna Button, headteacher at Blackminster Middle School, and Guy Nicholls, head at the De Montfort School, say they will fight against the change and have urged the first schools to hold fire.

Mr Nichols said consultation with his parents of Year 6 pupils had shown they would have supported the move as parents of Year 5 pupils, but a year on they were pleased their children had made the move.

"I asked parents to see what they though and the equivalent of 19 out of 20 said they wanted to wait. More than 80 have also written to me."

Mr Nichols added the De Montfort School would continue to improve and that despite being a combined school the middle and high school elements operated very separately.

"There's no doubt the Year 6 results are not as good as they could be. I know one of the reasons the pyramid of schools isn't as strong is because it hasn't been as strong at the top end. But we will continue to improve.

"We are being driven by test results and I think that's the real story.

"I think educationally this move would be the wrong decision. Potentially it's a recipe for disaster."

Mrs Button added: "The local authority are clear there is no requirement for extra place and they won't fund any of this, they have made that clear. There is no educational need.

"My big concern is there is no cohesive plan. It's just going to force a very complicated system and potentially damage schools. It will certainly damage my school and the federation school of Pebworth.

"We are going to have right mish mash.

"My biggest concern is with a lack of a plan we end up with a dog's breakfast and children will suffer."

Although Worcestershire County Council do not have control over the choice of the schools to submit an application they too are part of the consultation process.

Councillor Liz Eyre, cabinet member for children and families, said: "The Local Authority recognises the right of schools to undertake this type of consultation. We will be responding to the consultation within the appropriate timescales.

"Parents and other interested parties are encouraged to respond with their views so that the governors of the school get a clear picture in terms of the views of all those potentially affected by this change."

The consultation period ends on January 16 and should they chose to an application would be made to the Secretary of State by March 1.