CONTROVERSIAL plans to close two schools and create a new academy are being reinvestigated by the public.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has launched a consultation to outline its plans for Eston Park School and Gillbrook College.

The original scheme was rejected by the Schools Adjudicator after the council met strong opposition from within the community and especially from the leaders of Eston Park, School.

About £90m had been earmarked under the Building Schools for the Future programme, but after this was scrapped, the scheme was reconsidered and the closure plan finally revoked last November when the Schools Adjudicator ruled both schools could remain as they were.

However, in December the council agreed to close the popular school and neighbouring Gillbrook College to create a merged "superschool".

And now the council is carrying out its consultation until Monday, March 7 in an attempt to get the plans back on the agenda.

The Council's cabinet member for children's services and education, Councillor Ian Jeffrey, said: "This is an important consultation about schools in the Greater Eston area and we are keen to seek as many views as possible on the proposed changes."

However, the management team behind Eston Park School had already launched a bid to turn the school into an academy, with the decision due next month.

The governments plans for academies would create publicly funded schools which are free from local authority control.

Duncan Haig, senior deputy head at Eston Park, is leading the school's bid.

He said: "We are absolutely determined to take through our application for the Academy because we believe it is what is best for the children.

"The academy conversion would allow continuity of our success, because we believe we are an outstanding school, which is evidenced in the outcomes for our pupils."

However, the Council has asked the Secretary of State to defer his decision in relation to Eston Park's application as it believes that "exceptional circumstances" exist and that the wider school re-organisation issues between Gillbrook College and Eston Park School should be determined first.

To have your say, contact 01642-771238, email schools_consultation@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or write to The Capital Projects Team, Redcar and Cleveland House Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, TS10 1RT. Views and comments must be received no later than Monday 7 March 2011. Further information can also be found at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk