THE writing is on the wall for a Kidderminster school if a neighbouring area changes its education structure, it has been claimed.

Worcestershire County Council cabinet has voted to delay a decision on whether to replace Hagley area first, middle and high schools with just primary and secondary schools until February, when the full county council will settle the issue.

Worcester MP Michael Foster said any change will mean pupils being transferred away from Wyre Forest.

"Kidderminster has over 400 surplus secondary school places," he said. "The Hagley review could make this even worse, and force the county to close down one of the town's schools."

Clive Weeden, the county's head of education policy, contested this assertion. "I don't think the Hagley review will necessarily have an impact on Kidderminster at all," he said.

But cabinet member John Gordon has claimed the county is intent on creating a two-tier system in Kidderminster when its review starts in 2003 - which would lead to the closure of all the town's middle schools.

"The cabinet is 'minded' to agree to the downgrading of the Hagley pyramid from three to two-tier," explained Mr Gordon, county councillor for Stourport Mitton.

"It's the start of a softening up process that will lead to Wyre Forest going to two-tier - a retrograde step."

He added: "People wish to continue with the three-tier system. Our results are just as good and change will entail needless disruption and cost. As the old maxim says: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'."

Julien Kramer, the county's director of educational services, denied the council had a hidden agenda. He said: "This council has been honourable in its area reviews. The key test for the executive committee in February will be: is change necessary?"

Mr Kramer added: "Governors, parents and teachers were consulted and the arguments on both sides are finely balanced. Some reviews, such as in Redditch, have decided to keep a three-tier structure."