PARENTS are being invited to have their say on a possible shake-up of primary school education in Thornaby.

A series of consultation meetings are to be held to discuss how to deal with the reduction in the number of pupils attending Bader, Tedder and Thornaby CofE primary schools.

The number of children in Thornaby is falling from 2,043 in 1996 to an estimated 1,543 in 2006, which means Stockton Borough Council will have a surplus of 500 primary school places.

As a result, three options have been approved for consideration. They are: continuing to maintain the three schools; close Tedder Primary and move the pupils to Thornaby CofE and Bader schools; or amalgamate Tedder and Bader primary schools.

It is believed even planned regeneration work in the town would be unlikely to have an impact on the downturn in numbers.

Councillor Alex Cunningham, the council's cabinet member for education, leisure and cultural services said: "This is very much a consultation exercise to seek the views of the local community to find out what they think and help them form a view. It would also give us a chance to seek the advantages and disadvantages."

One of the main problems with the number of pupils falling, is the council receives less money from the Government, so has less to give to the schools.

The school buildings will still cost the same to run, which will result in less money to employ teachers and support staff, so the size of classes will increase.

Meetings will be held later this month to give parents, teachers, governors, ward councillors and the MP for Stockton South, Dari Taylor, the opportunity to have their say on the proposals. If it is agreed either options two or three should be adopted, a formal proposal will be published in November, which would give a further two- month consultation period.

Councillor Steve Walmsley said: "Nothing has yet been decided and we are urging parents to give us feedback."

After consultations, the council's cabinet will decide how to proceed.