The headteachers of two Borehamwood schools which face the axe under county's education plans have spoken out in favour of the proposed return to a two-tier system.

Phil Tompkins of Hawksmoor Upper School and Chris Wright of Holmshill Middle School this week joined the eight first school head teachers to launch an "Alliance For Change".

The alliance supports Hertfordshire County Council plans to close the three middle schools and two upper schools in Borehamwood, expand the first schools into primary schools -- and develop a single, large secondary school.

Mr Tompkins said although his school in Cowley Hill would shut under the plans, a super secondary would offer the best opportunities to older children.

The ongoing surplus of places at his school could not continue, he said, and "one big, vibrant" school would attract better funding and offer a wider choice of studies.

It was an insult to youngsters in Borehamwood to suggest that putting them into a bigger school would automatically make them run riot, he said.

Mr Wright said: "These proposals are right for the town and right for our young people. They come with a guarantee to spend over £10million on education in Borehamwood.

"This Alliance For Change shows that we are looking beyond any possible self-interest and working for the best interests of all children, their families and staff."

The announcement means battle lines in the row over the future of education in the town are clearly drawn.

Now ten head teachers, and pressure group CHO1CE, support county's plans -- and three head teachers, together with rival pressure group SOS, are opposed.

Both sides are working hard to win over the hearts and minds of parents -- and encouraging them to make their views known to county before January 13, when politicians will decide whether to forge ahead.

Tim Westrip at Hillside Upper School, Mike Howell at Lyndhurst Middle School and Phil Fryer at Furzehill Middle School have all spoken out to defend their schools in recent weeks.

Mr Westrip is convinced plans to close his school are motivated by profit from the sale of land and Mr Fryer has pointed to his school's educational achievements, happy atmosphere and extra-curricular activities.

But the formation of the Alliance For Change this week pleased education committee chairman Bob Mays.

"I'm delighted that head teachers have felt able to publicly support our proposals in this way. They represent all parts of the current schools system and clearly feel strongly about making their views widely known," he said.

Headteacher at Saffron Green First School Geraldine Louch said it was important that Mr Tompkins and Mr Wright were supporting the plans.

Mrs Louch said at first she had been reluctant to make her views clear, believing the issues should be debated between county and parents, but it was difficult to remain silent when there were many false rumours about.

She said she had been teaching in Hertfordshire for many years and had been through reorganisation before, in Potters Bar. Although she was originally opposed to those plans, she said, it was now clear that change was right.

But SOS is unconvinced by any of county's arguments for abandoning the three-tier system.

Members believe the surplus place problem will be solved by imminent changes to the secondary transfer system and that most people are against change.

They have poured scorn on arguments that a bigger school can offer a wider range of subjects and believe that changes will cause necessary disruption for hundreds of pupils.

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