AN educational shake-up could see three Middlesbrough primary schools close because of falling rolls.

Middlesbrough Council's education chiefs are launching a town-wide consultation exercise, which will include parents, as the controversial plans are unveiled.

One option in a number of potential schemes include the provision of a £7.5m 630-pupil super school to replace three under-subscribed schools.

Officials have identified that eight primary schools - Berwick Hills, Brambles, Caldicotes, North Ormesby, Pallister Park, Park End, Pennyman, and Thorntree - already have 403 surplus places.

More than £5m needs to be spent to bring school buildings and facilities up to standard in the next five years - £3m of it on Brambles, Thorntree and Caldicotes schools.

Paul Thompson, Middlesbrough Council's executive member, said: "To do nothing would be neither practicable nor responsible.

"Change has to happen, but we want to make sure it is change which everyone affected has time to get used to and which will provide them with a far better learning and working environment."

Director of Education Terry Redmayne stressed that the aim of the review was to provide the best possible educational environment for pupils.

He said: "Despite the problems of surplus places and many out of date or inadequate buildings, results in east Middlesbrough primary schools have been getting better every year."

He added: "We will be discussing our plans fully with each school and the whole community and want to get them involved in a discussion and dialogue on the best way forward."

Middlesbrough Council's executive will be asked on Tuesday to approve implementation of the consultation. A report will be brought back in January and in March the issue will go before the Middlesbrough Schools Organisation Committee.

Other options include closing Caldicotes with a redistribution of pupils to the Brambles and Thorntree primary schools; closing Brambles, Caldicotes and Thorntree with their replacement by two new schools; or their replacement with one school along with an expansion of the Park, and possibly Pennyman schools' catchment areas.

Another option is to close Brambles, Caldicotes, Thorntree and Pennyman schools, open two new schools, and expand Pallister Park school's catchment area.