David Ruffley MP will be attending a meeting with 'community leaders' - including Parish Council Chairmen, Clerks and Members - at Stanton Village Hall to discuss the move to two tier education on Friday 28 October at 5.45pm.

David Ruffley said: 'Suffolk County Council (SCC) have recently started a consultation process for the Thurston Pyramid to implement the proposals agreed 4 years ago to move from 3 tier to 2 tier. This means children staying an extra 2 years (until end of year 6) in their primary schools and then transferring to

secondary school at the age of 11.

The SCC consultation proposes all children transferring to Thurston Community College which wants to use the current Beyton Middle School site as an annex. Under the proposals all 3 middle schools (Beyton, Ixworth and Stanton) in the pyramid would close in the summer of 2014. The Thurston Pyramid (North) includes those villages which feed in to Ixworth, Great Barton, Stanton, Badwell Ash and Walsham le Willows primary schools.

The consultation also refers to the option of a Free School at Ixworth or Stanton (using the current middle school site). The proposal for this is being worked up by a group of parents and has the support of Matt Hancock MP, Councillor Joanna Spicer and myself. Michael Gove has also indicated support in principal and SCC officers are offering what support is needed at this stage.

'I look forward to discussing the educational benefits of the proposed system to the young people of Suffolk to ensure they receive the best chance in life'