MID Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston says he shares concerns over the future of the three-tier school system and Pershore middle schools.

The MP was speaking after the Worcester News' revealed that Avonreach Academy Trust (AAC) had rubbed stamped plans for Cherry Orchard, Pershore, Inkberrow First and Norton Juxta Kempsey CE First to gradually accept Year 5 and 6 pupils in the coming years, while Pershore High will accept Year 7 pupils from September 2021, -with fears this would squeeze out middle schools.

The AAT stressed it would continue to work closely with middle schools in and beyond the Pershore pyramid, but Stephen Booth, assistant headteacher at St Barnabus Middle School, in Drakes Broughton, said the plans could lead to redundancies and uncertainty at his school.

Mid Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston said he would push any trust thinking of a change to think about the impact on middle schools.

"Trusts don't intentionally undermine middle schools," he said.

"Middle schools are a dying entity. I am concerned about their viability. There is a lot of affection for middle schools from my constituents. We need a long term strategic vision."