THE closure of middle schools within the Stowmarket and Stowupland pyramid in 2015 has been officially confirmed.

Suffolk County Cabinet members voted unanimously in favour of continuing with the next phase of the controversial School Organisation Review (SOR), despite pleas from parents and opposition councillors to postpone the decision.

The move will see the pyramid change from a three-tier system of primary, middle and upper schools into a two-tier primary and high school set-up.

It will involve the closure of Stowmarket, Combs, Needham Market and Bacton Middle Schools with pupils staying on for two more years at the 13 primary schools before moving on to one of Stowupland or Stowmarket High Schools at the age of 11.

The council’s cabinet member for education said the transition to two-tier would help raise attainment by reducing the disruption to pupils’ education through changing schools twice.

He said parts of Suffolk where the SOR had been completed had already shown signs of progress and improved grades.

- See tomorrow’s EADT for the full reaction to the decision.