Lorraine Barker, the Mirfield Free Grammar (MFG) school principal, condemned the council's plans for every school in North Kirklees, saying they were 'flawed and disruptive'.

She said the plans, which include merging Castle Hall school and the MFG to make one 2,000-pupil school, would affect every child in North Kirklees.

She said under the new plans parents would have little or no choice which secondary school to send their children to because Kirklees Council wanted children to go to school in their own towns.

She said: "It is crucial that we unite to oppose the whole plan in addition to acknowledging the significance of the plans for our own schools.

"Only a resounding 'no' to the whole scheme will stop it in its tracks and give the opportunity for a better plan to be created by those who truly understand the needs of the children in our areas."

Mrs Barker said pupils had been consulted and were very distressed about the plans.

The MFG school council leader Jakson Rounding, 15, said: "We have just realised that 50 percent of our current school's pupils would not be able to come to the MFG under the new proposals in future years. This will affect our younger brothers and sisters."

Sixth form student Henna Habib said: "I went to Westborough, and chose to come to the MFG sixth form. Under these new proposals you don't get a choice where to study - it's made for you. I want to be able to choose where I study."

Sixth form student Glyn Brooke said: "Even though I've been here since year seven, under these plans I would have had to go somewhere else to do the subjects I wanted to do. I don't think it's fair for someone else to choose where you study."

Mrs Barker urged anyone worried about the proposals to make representations to Kirklees Council. Drop-in sessions are being held at the MFG, Kitson Hill Road, on Monday from 3.30pm to 8pm. The sessions are open to everyone - not just parents and pupils from the MFG. A petition is available to sign at www.themfg.co.uk.

First published October 10, 2008.