PARENTS and teachers have demanded changes to Poole's complicated education system.

A survey revealed they agreed it must be changed - but nobody knows how to do it yet.

Eight out of ten parents, teachers and governors who responded to the Borough of Poole survey were in favour of reorganising schools into one system.

Currently there is a combination of first, primary, combined, middle schools and secondary schools and children leave different places at varying ages.

Nearly a third of people wanted to see Poole schools brought in line with 85 per cent of other places in the country. These have a two-tier structure with primary and secondary schools where children move up at the age of 11.

Thirty three per cent - mostly parents from Broadstone - wanted to see a three-tier system with first, middle and secondary schools. Children change schools at nine and 13-years-old.

Education chiefs at a learning overview group this week agreed to spend just under £200,000 to set up a project team to investigate these options and come up with estimated costs.

Education boss Councillor Tony Woodcock said: "We've set up a project development team to look into the specifics of both the proposals. Area by area will be looked at and what the costs would be." He added: "Keeping schools in communities is most important."

The team has been set up for the next three years but it is not known how long it will take to come up with proposals.

The public will be consulted on possible plans but no changes will take place before September 2008.

The team will also look at linking up the system with neighbouring Bournemouth and Dorset schools.

First published: September 17