AS a family with four children at school, the Simpsons are well placed to have their say on the controversial shake-up of the education structure in Purbeck.

Dorset County Council says it has to reduce surplus places to ensure funding levels remain sufficient, but many of the schools threatened with closure have mobilised campaigns to stay open.

The issue has become huge in the district, with a split of opinion between those who see it as a threat to their schools and those who want to embrace the opportunity for change.

The Simpsons, originally from London, live in Wareham and their children have experience of both the two-tier and three-tier systems as a result.

Plans to move to a two-tier in Purbeck will see all four middle schools close, as well as several first schools. In their place, 11 primary schools will be created and The Purbeck School will take children from age 11 instead of 13.

Keiran Simpson, 14, is currently studying there, having been to middle schools at Wareham and Branksome Heath.

He said: “If you started at age 11 you would feel there’s more put on you. If it’s in three steps, you start as a beginner, then it’s intermediate, then advanced. Two steps would be a great jump.”

Many of the parents against the plans have cited worries over their 11-year-olds being bussed from Swanage to Wareham, for example, alongside 18-year-old sixth formers. Others have criticised the county for looking to shut schools that they say work well – campaigns at Wool First and Swanage First, as well as the middle schools, have centred on this theme.

Dad Keith Simpson said: “I think three tier is the best. The age that you transfer from first to middle and middle to secondary is much easier in a three-tier system than a two-tier.

“The heart and soul of any school is the staff and the staff at Wareham Middle and Sandford Middle are very good teachers. To close schools like that is mindless vandalism.”

As well as Keiran, Keith and his wife Martine have a child at Lady St Mary First School – Vanessa, nine, – one at Bournemouth Grammar – Claudia, 12 – and one at Lytchett Minster’s sixth form – Chantal, 18.

Claudia added: “You can gradually get used to a secondary school in a three-tier system, it’s not a huge jump.”

The review is going to cost somewhere in the region of £75 million and will save just £450,000 a year.

The county argues that the money is government cash, but critics say it still doesn’t make financial sense.

Keith said: “Where does the council get the money from? It might not be council tax payers’ money, but it’s tax payers’ money. It’s profligate.”

At one of the series of public meetings over the plans, county cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Toni Coombs, stressed that no decisions had been made.

John Nash, director of children’s services, said that, because of the strength of feeling, he would be “very surprised” if the proposals were not altered and a second consultation launched.

The consultation runs until February 25. Find more details at dorsetfor you.com/purbeckreview.