Parents in Bedford itself and those in the surrounding areas may have been under the impression that the controversial move from three-tier to two-tier schools had already been put to rest.
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Unfortunately, it appears not. Plans to create a two-tier education system in Bedford and Kempston were revived by the County Council in January. It could come into effect by 2013.
Unlike the earlier proposals, this time we are being told that just 21 schools in Bedford, Kempston and Wootton will be affected. However, that assumes all children follow the neatly drawn school succession model designed and housed at County Hall.
Life isn't like that. Parents have been told they have choice, so they make their own plans. Many exercise choice by placing their children outside the Council's putative pyramid. This means the ripples of change will affect parents and schools over a much wider area.
There are no plans to consult parents and schools which, although affected, are not part of the County's model.
Could this be a case of the powers that be not liking the first answer you gave, so they will ask the same question again in different ways until you do get it right?
Or, as with the European Constitution, they will change the name and claim it's not the same thing?
